Julius Caesar appears to be the first to report encounters with giants in Britain. In "De Bello Gallico" - Liber VI, C XVI, J. A. Thwaites translates his words as follows: "They (the British) enclose their victims in wickers of osier and burn them at the tops of giant men." Who were these giant men? There's some uncertainty—they could have been massive hill figures like the Cerne Giant or the Long Man of Wilmington, or they may have represented some form of sacrificial green man. Ultimately, speculation may lead nowhere, but the notion that Albion was indeed a land of giants is well-supported.

'Dancing' or 'Pageant' giants were recorded across Europe by the 14th century. One of the earliest known in Britain is Christopher the Salisbury Giant. Once associated with the Tailors' Guild, he now resides in the Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum. Although his exact age is unknown, a repair bill dating back to 1570 offers some historical context.

The City of London has a rich tradition of giants, notably Gog and Magog, who stood in honor at the Guildhall and were tasked with defending the city.

Most towns likely had their civic ensemble of giants; Chester, for instance, once boasted four. Their decline is poorly documented, but it’s reasonable to assume that the Commonwealth era extinguished the remainder that survived the Reformation. However, several close relatives of giantkind have persisted, such as Jack in the Green, hobby horses, morris-dancing beasts, and darker figures like the Dorset Ooser, Skimmities, and Mari Llwyd. Many of these, along with giants, are associated with bands of 'rough musicians,' disguisers, and even witchcraft.

While British giants underwent a decline, those in the broader world have thrived. Giants can be found in virtually all European countries, the former USSR, Latin America, India, and similar forms exist across much of Asia.

Giants surpass all of us in size; they are not merely moving statues but focal points of cultural expression. Some embody warriors, proclaiming defiance against a hostile world, while others represent dignitaries bearing civic pride. Most, however, are at their happiest during parties, festivals, or fairs. They serve as exuberant symbols of life's vital forces and humanity's joy in living.

Today, British giants are experiencing a revival, with Kent alone welcoming seven new giants since 2002, and more are planned for the future.