Grave of Peter the Wild Boy listed
Georgian court jester鈥檚 final resting place protected.
Peter the Wild Boy, in green, in a portrait hanging in Kensington Palace
皇冠体育app grave of an 18th century 鈥榝eral鈥� boy has been Grade II listed by Heritage Minister Ed Vaizey.
鈥楶eter the Wild Boy鈥� was discovered as a teenager, apparently abandoned in a forest near Hanover, Germany in 1724. King George I (who was also Elector of Hanover) invited him to live in England following a visit to Germany.
He spent several years living as a curiosity, or 鈥榗ourt jester鈥� in the King鈥檚 court. Later, as his novelty waned, he became a farm labourer in Northchurch, Hertfordshire.
It is now believed he suffered from a chromosomal disorder called Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome. He died, aged 72, and was buried in St Mary鈥檚 Church. 皇冠体育app gravestone is said to have been paid for by local people. Flowers are regularly laid on it to this day.
鈥淧oignant and unsettling鈥�
Mr Vaizey awarded the listing following expert advice from English Heritage. He said: 鈥淧eter the Wild Boy鈥檚 story is both extremely interesting and, at the same time, poignant and unsettling. It also reminds us how far public attitudes to disability have changed.
鈥淗is gravestone survives in good condition and has considerable historic interest. Its preservation will help to keep his extraordinary history alive for many generations to come.鈥�
Further information
Painting image: 漏 , Photo Robin Forster
Gravestone image courtesy
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