At face value children’s nursery rhymes are harmless fun. Often nonsensical to our ears they have been handed down from generation to generation. But a little research on their origins often unearth a more sinister meaning. Some of the more popular ones can be found in our nursery rhyme book and here are a few origins of some of them.
Jack be nimble
It’s generally accepted that this rhyme refers to a notorious 16th century pirate, Black Jack. He was renowned for avoiding or escaping capture, hence the term nimble was associated with him.
Humpty Dumpty
This rhyme dates from 15th century England where the term was used to pillory fat or obese people. It is therefore not thought to be associated with a particular person, but the term was coined to describe a particularly large cannon used in the English Civil War (1642 – 1649). It is thought therefore to refer to some mishap to the cannon rather than any particular person.
Old Mother Hubbard
This rhyme is believed to relate to King Henry VIII and his divorce from Katherine of Aragon and so enabling Henry to marry Anne Boleyn. The rhyme is believed to play out Henry (the doggie) asking Cardinal Wolsey (Old Mother Hubbard) for a divorce (the bone) from the Roman Catholic church (the cupboard). Such was the authority of the King at that time that direct reference to the events were deemed too risky and hence the euphemisms were coined.
Three Blind Mice
Again another rhyme believed to be associated with the power of the Monarchy and religious conflict in 16th century England. In this case the farmers wife is Queen Mary I, eldest daughter of Henry VIII. The three blind mice were three Protestant noblemen who were convicted of plotting against the Catholic Queen. It is thought that they were burned at the stake rather than being blinded and disembowelled. During the four year persecution of Protestant supporters, commenced in 1555 around 800 fled the country and over 270 were executed.
