Humpty Dumpty Wasn’t an Egg? This Nursery Rhyme Might Hold a Wartime Secret
There’s an interesting theory that the familiar nursery rhyme “Humpty Dumpty” might actually be connected to a real event in English history! The theory suggests that Humpty Dumpty wasn’t an egg at all, but rather a powerful cannon used during the English Civil War (1642-1651).
The Siege of Colchester
The rhyme itself reflects this theory, with the “great fall” referring to the cannon tumbling down and the “King’s horses and all the King’s men” symbolising the Royalist troops’ inability to repair the massive weapon. While this is just a theory, it does add a fascinating historical twist to a familiar nursery rhyme!
Humpty’s Great Fall
The Parliamentarians, determined to break the Royalist resistance, targeted the church. Enemy cannon fire struck the base of the spire, sending the mighty “Humpty Dumpty” crashing to the ground where it shattered beyond repair. This is where the rhyme might echo the historical tale – the “great fall” referencing the cannon’s disastrous tumble.
Historical Echoes in a Nursery Rhyme
The rest of the rhyme, “all the king’s horses and all the king’s men couldn’t put Humpty together again,” symbolizes the Royalists’ vain attempts to salvage the massive cannon and restore their firepower. The siege of Colchester ultimately ended in a Parliamentarian victory, but the legend of Humpty Dumpty, whether fact or folklore, adds an intriguing historical twist to a beloved childhood rhyme.
Important Note:
While the theory is compelling, historians point out the lack of concrete evidence linking the specific cannon at Colchester to the nursery rhyme’s origins. Nonetheless, it offers a glimpse into the tactical ingenuity of Civil War-era warfare and reminds us that history sometimes hides in unexpected places.
