The Enchanting Tale of Tom Thumb's Grave in Tattershall, Lincolnshire
Thats right, Tom Thumb or a man known as such was resident of Tattershall. You will find his grave at the church, and a little house in the market place.
MYTHS AND LEGENDS
When visiting Tattershall be sure to discover to story of Tom Thumb. According to legend, the remains of a miniature folk hero can still be found. Visitors who step inside the town’s 16th century church will find a tiny grave marker, adorned with flowers and bearing the name Tom Thumb.
Even Debbie Harry was a fan. Here is an extract from her biography "Face It"
( Speaking of history, I have to mention Tom Thumb, who rose to fame as Tom Thumb the Great and also Tom Thumb the Little sometime in the early 1500s. In England’s first published fairy tale, Tom hangs out with King Arthur, after being eaten and then excreted by a series of cows, giants, and fish. Little people were often looked on with great fondness by royalty all across Europe, and the next time I’m in the UK, I’m determined to visit Tattershall in Lincolnshire to see Tom’s grave, where his tombstone reads: “T. Thumb, Aged 101, died 1620.” The grave is sixteen inches long! What a very tiny man he was . . . )
Local legend tells of Tom, a native of Tattershall, who was reputedly just over 18 inches tall and lived to the age of 101 when he passed away in 1620. However, beyond these meagre statistics it becomes almost impossible to unpick fact from fiction and discover more about the man buried beneath this plaque.
The story behind Tom Thumb's grave in Tattershall, Lincolnshire is a fascinating one. Tom Thumb, also known as Thomas Thumb, was a legendary figure in English folklore. He was said to be a small man no taller than a thumb, hence his name. The grave in Tattershall is believed to be the final resting place of this famous character. According to the local legend, Tom Thumb was a resident of Tattershall who entertained people with his incredible feats and magical abilities. It is said that he performed extraordinary acts like riding on the back of a swallow and even fighting off a giant.
Although Tom Thumb's existence is purely mythical, the people of Tattershall have embraced his story and erected a grave to honour the legendary figure. Today, visitors can visit the grave and immerse themselves in the enchanting tale of Tom Thumb.
There are rumors that the Tom Thumb buried at Tattershall was popular with the King’s court and often visited London. Whether or not this is true and whether or not a man named Tom Thumb really is buried in that small church, it’s safe to say that his story has become forever intertwined with wider folklore.