Colin Crosby Heritage Tours

Jeffery Hudsons Cottage (Oakham)

Jeffery Hudson's Cottage is an attractive lttle stone built and thatched cottage in Oakham, the county town of Rutland.

It stands in the High Street of the little town.

Jeffery Hudson was born here in 1619. By the time he was seven, he had attained the height of 18 inches, and remained at that height until he was 30, when a spate of growth brought him to 3 foot 9 inches.

He was a favourite of George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, and came to the attention of Charles I when leaping from a pie at a banquet at Burley-on-the-Hill.

Widely known as the Rutland Dwarf, Jeffery Hudson had many adventures, including being captured by pirates and fighting in battles. He also fought a duel, killing his opponent.

It is believed that Jeffery Hudson was the inspiration for the stories about Tom Thumb.

He died in quiet retirement in 1682.