3 Answers

It is believed that the nursery rhyme, Humpty Dumpty originated from Colchester from the time of the Siege of Colchester in 1648, During the English Civil War (1642-8).

It is believed that Humpty Dumpty was the name given to a narrow-barreled squat cannon mounted on top of Saint Mary's Church, near the Balkerne Gate and Jumbo water tower, as part of the town's defences. Humpty Dumpty received a direct hit by a cannon ball fired from Parliamentarian forces, lead by Sir Thomas Fairfax. He was attempting to breach the town's defences in pursuit of its Royalist captors, lead by Sir Charles Lucas and Sir George Lisle.

Falling to the ground, along with a large section of the church's tower, Humpty Dumpty lay in pieces.
Naturally the King's men* tried to mend him but in vain.
* The 'men' would have been infantry, and 'horses' the cavalry troops.

14 years ago. Rating: 6
Comment this answer Add new comment

What do you think he was, a head of lettuce.

14 years ago. Rating: 3
Comment this answer Add new comment

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
All the king's horses and all the king's men
Couldn't put Humpty together again.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humpty_Dumpty

14 years ago. Rating: 2
Comment this answer Add new comment