Humpty Dumpty

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall
All the Kings Horses and all the King's Men
Couldn't put Humpty together again!

Now here's the interesting part....
Apparently Humpty was a large cannon! It was used during the English Civil War (1642 - 1649) in the Siege of Colchester (13 Jun 1648 - 27 Aug 1648). Colchester was strongly fortified by the Royalists and was laid to siege by the Parliamentarians (Roundheads).

A shot from a Parliamentary cannon succeeded in damaging the wall beneath Humpty Dumpty which caused the cannon to tumble to the ground.

The Royalists, or Cavaliers, 'all the King's men' attempted to raise Humpty Dumpty on to another part of the wall. However, because the cannon , or Humpty Dumpty, was so heavy ' All the King's horses and all the King's men couldn't put Humpty together again!' This had a drastic consequence for the Royalists as the strategically important town of Colchester fell to the Parliamentarians after a siege lasting eleven weeks.

Three good things;
1. This Humpty was hand painted by an Oamaru artist of renown.
2. The children seem to know who he is! He sits on his wall in our local Public Gardens in the children's playground.
3. Planning a birthday trip.

[Simply Amanda]

Great shot and find. Poor Humpty!!

[Stephanie Swift]

Wonderful capture of this painting, Maggiemae. And thanks for the info about Humpty's origins--I know that many nursery rhymes have a political or historical origin, but didn't know about Humpty.

[Maggiemae]

@tristansmum Thanks Stephanie - your comment made me alter a few words because it isn't a painting. It is a sculpture in the Playground!

[bardejov]

Very nice. I bet all the children know who he is. And I learned something new today myself. Great info.

[katy]

Terrific shot and even better history lesson! thanks for sharing both!

[Michelle C.]

Thank you for the history of the nursery rhyme. I'll pass it along to my son who adores history.
That's a beautiful sculpture! Beautifully painted!

[Yvonne]

Poor Humpty. Lovely sculpture. Now all these years I have known the nursery rhyme and never knew the history. It is fascinating. Thanks.

Planning a birthday trip sounds like great fun!!!

[Jo]

Interesting story, most of our nursery rhymes have stories behind them line "ring a ring a rosie" is connected to the plague and death (cheery!) Birthday sounds intriguing.

[Maggiemae]

@joluise @yonnie The trip starts off in a forested area and then we visit a nephew sadly not with us for much longer. Up to the top of the South Island amongst the Sounds after that.

[KWind]

Poor humpy! Fun shot!

[tony gig]

Brilliant shot Maggie and great story

[8yearson]

Interesting story and photo.... I only live about 20 miles from Colchester, I'll have to check out Humpty's history next time I'm passing!

[Claire]

Lovely shot and very interesting info

[Rick Schies]

Well, you learn something new everyday

[richard saffold]

i never knew this.

[Harry J Benson]

nice photo, thank you for the great explanation of the nursery rhythm

[Dina Sigtrix]

like it :-)

[Sandy]

What a cool find and history.

[Judith Greenwood]

Well you learn something new every day! Cool pic too.

[Terry]

wayyyyyyyyyyyyy toooooooooooooo funny

[Sharon Lee]

Nice slice of information.., it all makes sense now.

[Gillian]

Very interesting! When's the birthday?

[~*~ Jo ~*~]

Great

[Maggiemae]

@kwiksilver Aha! Gillian - coming up this month!

[Phil Howcroft]

looking forward to jack and jill :)

[Jennifer]

How interesting. Great story and shot.

[Gillian]

@maggiemae Aha, Maggie - snap :)

[Maggiemae]

@kwiksilver You too? Do tell!

[Jacqui Paterson]

My mum has a photo of me when we lived in Oamaru when I was about 3 or 4 sitting on the wall with this guy. I got another one taken last year when I was there. I just love this. Awesome.

[Leana Niemand]

A wonderful shot and what an interesting story.

[Mr. Spock]

Great shot, and interesting info!

[Tony]

Love the amazing story and the wonderful capture.

[Kristen]

How interesting! Great story and neat shot!

[summerfield]

he looks spooky anyway. when's the birthday? you want cake?

[Myrna O'Hara]

Wow what a story, learn something new everyday. Super shot to go with it.

[Angela Tavan]

fun shot of a great artwork and terrific story to go with it!

[Alice Burghart]

great shot.

[❀ Lynn]

Cool...never knew the story behind the rhyme! Thank you! Fun shot.