That Humpty Dumpty is an egg is not actually stated in the rhyme
2007-09-23 13:07:24 · 9 answers · asked by eldeseo 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Mythology & Folklore
no
The imagery of Humpty Dumpty
Humpty Dumpty was a colloquial term used in fifteenth century England describing someone who was obese. This has given rise to various, but inaccurate, theories surrounding the identity of Humpty Dumpty. The image of Humpty Dumpty was made famous by the illustrations included in the 'Alice through the looking glass' novel by Lewis Carroll. However, Humpty Dumpty was not a person pilloried in the famous rhyme!
The History and Origins of the Rhyme
Humpty Dumpty was in fact believed to be 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). In 1648 the town of Colchester was a walled town with a castle and several churches and was protected by the city wall. Standing immediately adjacent the city wall, was St Mary's Church. A huge cannon, colloquially called Humpty Dumpty, was strategically placed on the wall next to St Mary's Church. The historical events detailing the siege of Colchester are well documented - references to the cannon ( Humpty Dumpty) are as follows:
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June 15th 1648 - St Mary's Church is fortified and a large cannon is placed on the roof which was fired by ‘One-Eyed Jack Thompson'
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July 14th / July 15th 1648 - The Royalist fort within the walls at St Mary's church is blown to pieces and their main cannon battery ( Humpty Dumpty) is destroyed.
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August 28th 1648 - The Royalists lay down their arms, open the gates of Colchester and surrender to the Parliamentarians
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. Earliest traceable publication 1810.
2007-09-23 16:57:49 · answer #1 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"Humpty Dumpty" was an actual person, born in 1763 England. He had a physical deformity, and was forced to live a life of poverty and destitution. He was actually sitting on the edge of London Bridge when he was accosted by some locals, at which point he fell to his death into the river below. A nursery rhyme was fabricated to commemorate the event. Not really, but it sounds good!!
2007-09-23 20:38:03 · answer #2 · answered by voidedlives 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
AS I recall, Humpty Dumpty was a metaphor for an English king several hundred years ago.
It's either about him actually falling or losing his throne.
2007-09-23 21:00:51 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Humpty Dumpty might have been a large, ungainly cannon that was mounted on a wall. Once the wall was knocked over, the Royalists (King's horses, and king's men) couldn't salvage it.
2007-09-23 21:49:30 · answer #4 · answered by Hoosier Daddy 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it is just a story for little kids
he was a walking egg that sat on a wallif he wasnt an egg then there is no point to the story
2007-09-23 20:13:01 · answer #5 · answered by Sydney 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
NO!! Wanna know why they call him humpty dumpty? See the words "hump" and "dump". Dump meaing poop, and poop is humpy. Therefore, he was a turd.
2007-09-23 20:13:26 · answer #6 · answered by hvy_mtl8089 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
If its not in the rhyme why do you think he was an egg?
whatever he was he was fragile
2007-09-23 20:23:44 · answer #7 · answered by watcher 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
no. he was one of the kings of England. i think George III because he was the one that was mad and no one could fix his mind. i could be wrong. lots of nursery rhymes make fun of royalty
2007-09-23 20:16:01 · answer #8 · answered by ladyamethyst83 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Looked like it...
2007-09-23 20:14:26 · answer #9 · answered by AnswerThis 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋