Humpty Dumpty

[catherine1]

What is the origin of Humpty Dumpty?

[Jippo]

Humpty Dumpty was not an egg at all. He wasn't an English king as people frequently believe. "Humpty Dumpty was a powerful cannon during the English Civil War (1642-49). It was mounted on top of the St Mary's at the Wall Church in Colchester defending the city against siege in the summer of 1648. (Although Colchester was a Parliamentarian stronghold, it had been captured by the Royalists and they held it for 11 weeks.) The church tower was hit by the enemy and the top of the tower was blown off, sending "Humpty" tumbling to the ground. Naturally the King's men* tried to mend him but in vain."

[incitatus]

It is definitely civil war. And the colchester one may be correct. But there is a competing version. Seige of Gloucester 1643. Humpty was a bridge and battering ram rolled down across the river to batter the wall. At night good citizens of gloucester widen the river, so the bridge cannot reach and falls in, needing all the kings horses to attempt to right it. Like I say, definitely civil wars.

[Andromeda]

Incitatus,

Yes, I do believe Richard Rodney Bennett wrote an operetta (All the Kings Men) on the Seige Engine (Testudo - something like a tortouse). The original verse is purported to be:

Humpty Sumpty lay in the beck

With all his sinews around his neck

All the Kings surgeons and all the Kings Wrights

Couldn't put Humpty Dumpty to rights.

It has also been qupted as referring to either Charles I or Richard the III. The Fall of Rome, or the fall of the Monarchy in France is also quoted. It is widely accepted that the egg in pictures of Humpty Dumpty are attributable to Lewis Carroll, and his book Alice through the Looking Glass. Incidentally a Humpty-Dumpty is also an egg and brandy drink. May be something about eggs and falling over?

Andy

[JAZRIBEK]

humpty dumpty relates to CARDINAL WOLSEY WHO WAS ARRESTED AT CAWOOD CASTLE IN NORTH YORKS FOR TREASON