Remember the sweet Nursery Rhymes from your childhood? Sweet? Most of them Not So Much.
If you look into the origins of many of them there is nothing sweet at all.
For example.............
The most commonly accepted historical interpretation is that the rhyme refers to Mary Tudor (Mary I of England).
One interpretation goes to the heart of Mary's persona as “Bloody Mary” with silver bells and cockle shells referring to instruments of torture: silver bells being thumbscrews and cockles shells being instruments of torture attached to the genitals. While the pretty maids would be a reference to early guillotine-type devices used to decapitate victims.
One interpretation goes to the heart of Mary's persona as “Bloody Mary” with silver bells and cockle shells referring to instruments of torture: silver bells being thumbscrews and cockles shells being instruments of torture attached to the genitals. While the pretty maids would be a reference to early guillotine-type devices used to decapitate victims.
Oh you're So Contrary, Mary!!!
I had always thought it was Mary Queen of Scots, because her supporters were beheaded and tortured by Elizabeth I.
ReplyDeleteYep, I read something about her too. There are a few different interpretations I just liked this one the best.
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