成人快手

THE NORFOLK GIANT

Robert Hales "The Norfolk Giant"

It is well documented that with each generation, the nation is growing steadily taller, but in 1800s Norfolk, there lived a man who would be classed as exceptionally tall even by today's standards. Inside Out learns more about the life and height of Robert Hales.

Short or tall, it's never easy to be singled out as being different, but at 7ft 8in (2.4m), Robert Hales was not only well known in Norfolk for his astonishing height, but also the incredible life he lived.

Inside Out meets Chris Greener, the tallest man in Britain, to get an insider's view on what life must have been like for the "Norfolk giant".

A tall tale

Chris Greener is the tallest man in Britain

At 7ft 6in (2.3m), Chris is in a good position to empathise, although in the 1800s, the average height was much shorter than today, so Chris anticipates greater problems for Robert Hales.

"He probably had a lot of problems, more so than I have. He was slightly taller and much heavier - he weighed about 33 stone (210kg). He was a big fellow."

Chris surprisingly is not from a tall family, his brother is a mere 6ft 4in (1.9m).

"I was taller than him when I was about 11," laughs Chris.

Robert however, was in good company. His mother's relatives, Mary and Ann Laskey, were both over seven foot (2.1m) tall.

Too tall to sail

Born in West Somerton, Great Yarmouth in 1813, Robert grew up on the Norfolk Broads.

He joined the Royal Navy in Great Yarmouth, but had to be paid-off when he turned 17 and became too tall to fit below deck.

Robert's sea career was short-lived after he met with a similar problem sailing to Calcutta on the brig Neptune.

His height may have scuppered Robert's first career, but in his second career at the fairground - his height was to become his fame and fortune.

All the fun of the fair

Robert made his first appearance at local fairs including Tombland Fair in Norwich and after its construction in the 1850s, the Britannia Pier Great Yarmouth.

Along with his 7ft 2in (2.3m) sister Mary, Robert Hales toured around the country in a big yellow campervan, complete with eight foot (2.4m) beds.

Robert's fame spread and at Epsom Races in 1840, he was presented to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

Eleven years later, he was even presented at Court.

Robert's big break however came in 1849 when he was paid the princely sum of 拢800 by the famous showman P.T. Barnum to appear in America.

It was whilst working for Barnum Robert married eight foot (2.4m) Elizabeth Simpson, from Bantry, County Cork, who was also touring with the circus.

When Robert returned to Britain without his bride the following year though, the marriage was considered a publicity stunt by Barnum.

Roll up, roll up!

Peter Jay, manager of the Hippodrome Circus, says the circus is now more "PC"

According to Peter Jay of the Hippodrome Circus, there is no longer a place for acts like Robert Hales in contemporary circus shows.

"Circuses have changed a lot now, they've become a lot more "PC"," explains Peter.

"We don't feature animals, it's much more athletic.

"The days of featuring unusual people - it's moved on from that - times change."

Times may have changed, but Peter insists that even though such acts would be deemed exploitative today, in the 1800s, Robert Hales would have enjoyed the lifestyle and status of a star.

"They earned a fantastic living聟 They were the superstars of their day."

Local hero

Robert may have found fame and notoriety both nationwide and in America, but his bravery made him a local hero as well.

Robert survived six hours awaiting rescue after he was swept out to sea near Newport.

Robert Hales' cane is too big even for Chris

Whilst on his voyage to America to work for Barnum, he jumped overboard to save the life of a young boy.

In 1863 Robert Hales died of bronchitis aged 50 at his home in Wellington Road, Great Yarmouth.

In the graveyard of St Mary's Church, Somerton, his headstone reads "The Norfolk Giant".

Although his birthplace was demolished in the '60s, two surviving pieces of memorabilia from his life, a lantern and walking stick, are on display in Great Yarmouth.

The extraordinary life of Robert Hales will continue to live on in the hearts' of many.

St Mary's Church visitor's book is a testament to that, packed with missives from those visiting the grave of the Norfolk giant.

Back at Time and Tide Museum, Chris tries Robert's cane out for size and is delighted to find that for once in his life, something is too big even for him!