Nursery Wonders

The words and lyrics of the nursery rhyme 'A swarm of bees in May' reflects the belief that the weather can be predicted. There are several rhymes of this nature, some of which also have significant historical relevance such as:

[Source rhymes.org.uk]

The inspiration of the nursery rhyme 'A man of words and not of deeds' might have originated in the words of the Elizabethan author John Fletcher 1579-1625 - John Fletcher was born Rye, Sussex, and buried in St. Saviour's, Southwark. He was a contemporary of William Shakespeare.The quotation "Deeds, not words" can be found in the Lover's Progress (act III, sc. 6) by the Elizabethan playwright, John Fletcher.

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There is no historical origin to this children's nursery rhyme but some information about this bird might be appreciated. The Cock Sparrow is the very attractive male variety of the House Sparrow. In summer it's plumage is blue-black and dulled in the winter by pale edgings. The term 'Cock sparrow' is old British slang for a friend as in " Me old Cock Sparrow' or " Me old Cocker". This type of slang is typically used by London Cockneys who often replace the word 'my' for 'me'.

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The Nursery Rhyme, A Farmer went Trotting, features a Raven who brings bad fortune to the farmer. In most parts of the world the raven is considered a prophet and a bad omen, a symbol of the supernatural. Ravens have a place in the myths and legends of many ancient people and are linked to the Greek Goddess Hecate and the Norse God Odin as symbols of the underworld. It is therefore not surprising that the place of the raven during the Middle Ages was transferred to the witch and referred to as an example of a Witches Familiar. The croaking of a raven is believe to represent the speech of the dead! In the nursery rhyme is the line A raven cried "Croak". The raven is also mentioned in Celtic myths and legends and has been associated with raven goddess of Battle and Strife - Morrigan and the son of the Sea God called Bran Fendigaid (His name means Raven). Which leads us to the history and legends associated with the Tower of London.

[Source rhymes.org.uk]

This old children's nursery rhyme, A carrion crow sat on an oak, has no specific association with history but the carrion crow itself has many connections with Celtic mythology. Irish Goddesses of battle were represented by by the carrion crow and are associated with war and death. The association of the carrion crow with death and war is an obvious reflection of its tendency to eat carrion (carrion means dead and decaying flesh) plenty of which was found in the aftermath of battles..

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Origins of Old Mother Hubbard lyrics in British history
The Old Mother Hubbard referred to in this rhyme's words allude to the famous Cardinal Wolsey. Cardinal Thomas Wolsey was the most important statesman and churchman of the Tudor history period in 16th century England. Cardinal Wolsey proved to be a faithful servant but displeased the King, Henry VIII, by failing to facilitate the King's divorce from Queen Katherine of Aragon who had been his queen of many years. The reason for seeking the divorce and hence the creation of the Old Mother Hubbard poem was to enable him to marry Anne Boleyn with whom he was passionately in love. In the Old Mother Hubbard song King Henry was the "doggie" and the "bone" refers to the divorce (and not money as many believe) The cupboard relates to the Catholic Church although the subsequent divorce arranged by Thomas Cramner resulted in the break with Rome and the formation of the English Protestant church and the demise of Old Mother Hubbard - Cardinal Wolsey. Another rhyme reputedly relates to Cardinal Wolsey Little Boy Blue

[Source rhymes.org.uk]

Who was Old King Cole?
The origins of the Nursery rhyme lyrics of Old King Cole are based in history dating back to 3rd century. There is considerable confusion regarding the origins of Old King Cole as there are three possible contenders who were Celtic Kings of Britain, all who share the name Coel (which is the Celtic word for the English word Cole). Historia Regum Britanniae ( History of the Kings of Britain) by Geoffrey of Monmouth (1110-1155) refers to a King Cole as a king of the Britons. Our research details the contenders as follows:
Coel Godhebog (Cole the Magnificent - b.220 Decurion of Rome)
Coel Godhebog was the Lord of Colchester ( the word Colchester means " Cole's Castle"). The Romans had conquered Britain during this period and Coel Godhebog was a Decurion meaning member of the municipal Senate in Ancient Rome who ran a local government. Gaius Flavius Valerius Constantius (250–306) was an Emperor of the Western Roman Empire (305-306). According to the Historia Regum Britanniae Constantius was sent to Britain in 296AD. where his liaison with Helena, apparently the daughter of Coel Godhebog, produced a son who became Constantine the Great.


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Traditional poem - Mondays child
The words and lyrics of Mondays child poem are used to associate children with the pattern and different names to the days of week. Mondays child is a very popular poem but the actual words of Mondays child are not well known! We have all learnt the days of the week as Mondays child intended but we cannot seem to remember the qualities of being being born on individual days! Sunday was traditionally referred to as the 'Sabbath day' so there is no specific reference to Sundays child.
"Mondays child is fair of face"

[Source rhymes.org.uk]

The origins are steeped in history... Bloody Mary!
The Mary alluded to in this traditional English nursery rhyme is reputed to be Mary Tudor, or Bloody Mary, who was the daughter of King Henry VIII. Queen Mary was a staunch Catholic and the garden referred to is an allusion to graveyards which were increasing in size with those who dared to continue to adhere to the Protestant faith - Protestant martyrs.

[Source rhymes.org.uk]

Mary had a little lamb - use of language
The words of the American nursery rhyme Mary had a little lamb would appeal to a small children and introduces imagery of similes (white as snow) as part of use of the English language. The words also convey the hopeful adage that love is reciprocated! No specific historical connection can be traced to the words of
Mary had a little lamb but it can be confirmed that the song Mary had a little lamb is American as the words were written by Sarah Hale, of Boston, in 1830. An interesting historical note about this rhyme - the words of Mary had a Little Lamb were the first ever recorded by Thomas Edison, on tin foil, on his phonograph.


[Source rhymes.org.uk]

Who, or what, was a Little Tommy Tucker?
Little 'Tommy Tucker' referred to in the words of this nursery rhyme was a colloquial term that was commonly used to describe orphans - Little Tommy Tucker . The orphans were often reduced to begging or 'singing for their supper'. The reference to Little Tommy Tucker marrying and the lack of a wife reflects the difficulty of any orphan being able to marry due to their exceptionally low standing within the community. The first publication date for Little Tommy Tucker was 1829.

[Source rhymes.org.uk]

The traditional English rhyme of Little Robin Red Breast
The nursery rhyme lyrics of Little Robin Red Breast has no basis in history for its origins. The intention of Little Robin Red Breast is to teach young children about natural enemies of animals. It also makes good use of the English language by using similes (red breast). It also introduces a child to onomatopoeia (a word that sounds like its meaning) In the Little Robin Red Breast nursery rhyme the word 'meeow' when pronounced conveys the actual sound of the word! The robin is a small brown bird with a bright red breast - hence the continuous reference
to Little Robin Red Breast.

[Source rhymes.org.uk]

Story of the Little Miss Muffet Rhyme
Little Miss Muffet was a small girl whose name was Patience Muffet. Her stepfather, Dr. Muffet (1553-1604) was a famous entomologist who wrote the first scientific catalogue of British Insects. Whilst eating her breakfast of curds and whey Little Miss Muffet was frightened by one of his spiders and ran away! This particular Nursery Rhyme of Little Miss Muffet reputedly dates back to the late 16th century as indicated by the birth date of Dr Muffet! Unlikely story about Patience Muffet!

[Source rhymes.org.uk]

16th Century History origin of the Little Jack Horner story?
Little Jack Horner was reputed to have been the Steward to Richard Whiting (1461 - 1539) the Bishop of Glastonbury. The Steward had an important role and was responsible for managing the household, collecting taxes and keeping accounts.

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'Little Hen' is a term of endearment used in Scotland and therefore implies a rhyme with Scottish origins. 'Little Hen' would often be used when referring to the daughter of the house. The imagination of children, however, take the meaning of all words literally, thus any illustrations of this story always depict a little hen!


[Source rhymes.org.uk]

Origins of the Little Boy Blue story - A Connection with Tudor History?
The words and story of Little Boy Blue cannot be positively connected to any historical figure in history but there is, however, a theory that 'Little Boy Blue' refers to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey (1475-1530) dating back to English Tudor history and the reign of King Henry VIII. Wolsey was an extremely rich and arrogant self-made man with many enemies at court and was unpopular with the people of England. He was called the "Boy Bachelor" after obtaining his degree from Oxford at the unusually early age of fifteen. The expression "Blowing one's own horn" meaning to brag was certainly practised by Cardinal Wolsey. Between 1514 and 1525 he transformed a medieval manor into the magnificent Hampton Court Palace. It was an ostentatious display of his wealth and his power giving rise to the rhyme uttered by his enemies:


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The Little Bo Peep story
The Little Bo Peep rhyme builds the picture of a young shepherdess and the advice given to her by someone more experienced! It is interesting that the name of Little Bo Peep was derived from the derivative of the words bleat and sheep! There is no specific relevance to events in history for the origins of the Little Bo Peep rhyme. The morale of the words in the song are that one must take responsibility of falling asleep or face the consequences... The words of Little Bo Peep are quite interesting as they contain words that are an almost forgotten part of the English language. Words such as espied, hillocks and lambkin can all be found in the story of Little Bo Peep

[Source rhymes.org.uk]