So, they were much like rumors in the way they circulated through Europe. For example, the nursery rhyme, Humpty Dumpty goes as follows:.
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall .
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
All the Kings horses.
And all the Kings men.
Couldn't put Humpty together again.
There are numerous meanings to this verse and all are collectively different. In Borgia's research, she found that Humpty was a common nickname during the 1400's, and that the rhyme refers to King Richard III of England. This goes back to the fight for the head of the house of Lancaster, Henry Tudor. IT is said that King Richard sat upon his horse ready for battle and was murdered. Bogia also found that the origins could have also been the name of a powerful canon that sat upon the top of St. Mary's Wall Church in Colchester to defend it. It is said that the enemy hit the walls and "Humpty" fell down and broke, not able to be foxed by the King's men. Schafer found that the verse was a metaphor of life. .
Even today the egg is a symbol of life. When Humpty Dumpty falls and breaks (dies) "all the king's men and all the king's horses" can't put Humpty Dumpty back together (bring back to life). As true today as it was 500 years ago. .
The metaphor that the tale Schafer explained could be as true as Borgia's. But not all rhymes have as many explanations or interpretations as Humpty Dumpty. Such as Baa Baa Black Sheep. .
Baa Baa, .
Black Sheep.
Have you any wool?.
Yes, marry, have I,.
Three bags full:.
One for my master,.
One for my dame,.
And one for the little boy.
That lives down the lane!.
Through all the research it was conclusive that it is only about the burden of paying taxes. The complaint of hardships that taxes brought upon them. .
In the Middle Ages, a hard-working peasant was required to give one third of his income to the King, which would identify with "my master," and one third to the fat nobility, "my dame," leaving only a final third to himself, "the little boy.