Editing Spring-heeled Jack (section)

{{short description|English legendary folklore character}}
{{about}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2012}} <!-- This article uses [[British English]] -->
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox mythical creature
| name     = Spring-heeled Jack
| image    = jack6.jpg
| caption  = Spring Heeled Jack as depicted in the English [[penny dreadful]] ''Spring-Heeled Jack'' #2, Aldine Publishing, 1904
| Grouping = [[Hoax]], [[mass hysteria]], [[demon]], [[ghost|phantom]]
| Country  = [[United Kingdom]]
| Region   = [[London]]<br>[[Liverpool]]
}}

'''Spring-heeled Jack ''' is an entity in [[English folklore]] of the [[Victorian era]]. The first claimed sighting of Spring-heeled Jack was in 1837.<ref>Sharon McGovern ("The Legend of Spring Heeled Jack") claims that a letter to the editor of the ''Sheffield Times'' in 1808 talks of a ghost by that name years previously; McGovern neither specifies the day in 1808 so that the letter can be verified nor lists any secondary source (for this or anything else). In addition, the ''Sheffield Times'' did not launch until April 1846.</ref> Later sightings were reported all over the United Kingdom and were especially prevalent in suburban [[London]], the [[Midlands]] and [[Scotland]].<ref>For an account of an incident from [[Edinburgh]] that was misinterpreted as a sighting of Spring-heeled Jack, see ''The Weekly Scotsman'', 16 January 1897.</ref>

There are many theories about the nature and identity of Spring-heeled Jack. This [[urban legend]] was very popular in its time, due to the tales of his bizarre appearance and ability to make extraordinary leaps, to the point that he became the topic of several works of fiction.

Spring-heeled Jack was described by people who claimed to have seen him as having a terrifying and frightful appearance, with diabolical [[physiognomy]], clawed hands, and eyes that "resembled red balls of fire". One report claimed that, beneath a black cloak, he wore a helmet and a tight-fitting white garment like an [[oilskin]]. Many stories also mention a "Devil-like" aspect. Others said he was tall and thin, with the appearance of a [[gentleman]]. Several reports mention that he could breathe out blue and white flames and that he wore sharp metallic claws at his fingertips. At least two people claimed that he was able to speak comprehensible English.