I almost forgot to give you February’s Cryptid of the Month. I’m a little slow. Let’s blame it on the cold weather. Might also have something to do with returning to a full-time job, but I will not use that as an excuse (too many more times)! On the last day of February in a leap year, we give you… Spring-heeled Jack – the diabolical lunatic with a twisted sense of romance.
Some say Spring-heeled Jack is not a cryptid. Our household is divided. Mel’s view of what might lurk in the world of the unknown is farther-reaching than mine. I don’t exactly consider humanoids cryptids. But for the sake of this article (and the fact that Mel was itching to draw him), we’ll entertain the notion that some people perceive Spring-heeled Jack as a goblin sort of creature. He certainly is popular. If you aren’t sure, just google him. Here’s a good article I referenced. Also, Ken Gerhard has a fun chapter in his book, Encounters with Flying Humanoids: Mothman, Manbirds, Gargoyles, an Other Winged Creatures. If you’d like to read our recommendation for that book, you’ll find it here.
Here’s what we know about Jack:
Physical Description: A tall and lean humanoid; pale with large pointy ears and a crow-like nose; glowing red eyes with metal, talon-like claws; wears tight white clothing with a black cape and helmet. Some reported cloven hoof prints on the rooftops of where Spring-heeled Jack was seen.
Demeanor: Menacing and Diabolical.
Supernatural Powers: Fast. He has the ability to travel great distances in a single bound. Breathes out a bluish flame.
First Sightings: 1837. He attacked a young woman and ripped at her clothes and kissed her. When she cried for help, he left.
Location: In and around London, England and the black country.
Notes: Many sightings and attacks happened around pubs like “The Dragon” in the London district of Blackheath, “The Swan” in Whiteheath, “The Wheatsheaf” at Lye Cross, and “The Lion” in Tividale. Rumors spread that wherever there were hoof prints, death soon followed.
Imitating Spring-heeled Jack became a national craze in the early 20th century. On one account, police arrested a man in the middle of the night who was wearing a miners hat while jumping near a canal. The young man, Joseph Darby, explained he was training to become the World Spring Jumping Champion. He earned this title by beating the American, W.G. Hamlington, in 1887.
The last documented reports of Spring-heeled Jack were in Liverpool in 1904 and Bradford in 1926.
Ever heard of Spring-heeled Jack?
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