My ancestors are Welsh. My instinct says the nursery rhyme is about Mary Tudor. The "how does your garden grow?" Was a double entendre. About bodies she planted, and also her inablity to conceive.
I don’t think it was about bodies acting as fertiliser cockle shells was scallop brought over as religious symbol by crusaders and bells used in catholic church at the transubstantiation first things Henry got rid were Celeste bells first reformation rhyme lot of catholic wanted to rid Church of England, but yes contrary was her eagerness to burn at the stake, the methods of admitting guilt or conversion were paradoxical used to catch people akin ducking stall
My dad never could remember the last line of this poem. He'd say, "Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow? With silver bells, and cockle shells, and one damn weed." 😂 RIP Daddy ❤
When i was just five years old, many many years ago, there was a little girl that lived around the corner from me. Her name was Mary, i'll never forget her, fair hair with a few freckles across the nose, wore hush puppies, she was a year older than me, i think that nursery rhyme was actually written about her, she was very contrary, she never did what she was told. I'm 92
Listen to Ghost Casebook. Nicola has a wonderfully addictive and soothing voice with her posts of historical places and people( and not just the famous ones ) of interest. Have a look, you'll be hooked.
I grew up listening to these rhymes from my mother who was taught by her mother and so on. I also repeated them to my children but that’s where the tradition seems to have stopped. My grandchildren don’t have a clue and aren’t interested. The time when history was written in poetry and song is gone and been replaced with video games. Thank you for the memories and I’ve now subscribed.
You wouldn't enjoy sweet fanny Adams back story ,horrible history of the worst kind innocently ended up ,on many tongues ,even young people saying sweet fk all which sadly originated from the sad story .
When I saw the title, I immediately thought, Mary Tudor. After watching I still think that the rhyme is about her. It makes sense that they would use a nursery rhyme to say things that would get them burned at the stake if they talked openly against the queen. Mary Queen of Scots never had the power to execute anyone so people wouldn't have to hide their criticism in a nursery rhyme. Great show. Very entertaining.
I once asked about this on a royal message board, and was told that the "Mary" in question could be a reference to either queen -- England or Scotland.
@@JLFAN2009 Lordy! So you got one of those non-answer answers! 😀. Kudos for going to where they should know! According to our thread here, it appears Bloody Mary is the popular choice.
I learned that “ ring around the Rosie” was really about the plague. A pocket full of posies- flower petals kept in pockets was supposed to decrease the stench of the decomposing bodies of victims of the plague. “ Ashes, ashes, we all fall down” described the ashes of the victims, who were burned to prevent the spread of the disease. All fall down was meant to describe how the disease f “ felled” victims, or struck them down dead. I don’t know how true the story is, but there it is.
Its not ashes ashes we all fall down - itz atishoo atishoo ( sneezing) because thats what happened just before death. Well think about it- if it was ashes then the context is backwards
There was also a belief that fragrant smelling flowers could keep the infection from spreading to one’s own body, that’s why the plague doctors had those big bird noses on their masks; the beak was crammed with fragrant flowers and petals.
One great historical mystery is why they called her "Bloody Mary." Surely it ought to have been "Crispy Mary," since she liked to burn people at the stake.
Mary Tudor was half sister to Queen Elizabeth and daughter to King Henry via Catherine of Spain. Mary Queen of Scots is the real subject as this video relates too.
You forgot to mention that Mary Queen of Scots was heavily pregnant at the time of Risotto's murder in her rooms. And that Bothwell was suspended of Darley's murder as Mary's revenge for Ritsios murder. She is reputed to have run away with Bothwell to escape the displeasure of her nobles intact not long after her escape to northern England the nobles had her baby son crowned king in her place and several of her male relatives ran Scotland untill he was old enough to rule in his own right. And what a nasty little king he turned out to be
On a lighter note though, the rhyme "Pussy Cat, pussy cat where have you been?" is based on Queen Victoria's experience. She absolutely hated cats, but hated mice even more!!! There was one tom cat she allowed who slept under her throne. He was a very good mouser and would go hunting every night. So "where have you been (hunting today?")
I just bought my littlest grandchildren the Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes. They love it. Now when they get older, I will teach them what you have taught me here. I love listening to your voice. Keep the videos coming
History through fairy tales and nursery ryhmes is a clever way to educate and have people remember what has happened. Your time and effort in producing these videos is greatly appreciated. A joy to watch. Glad I finally found you again and this time Subscribed. 😊🙏
Thank you so much for your heart-warming comment! 😊 I'm thrilled that you find the approach of exploring history through fairy tales and nursery rhymes engaging and educational! Your kind words mean the world to me, and I'm truly grateful for your appreciation and support. Welcome back, and I'm honoured to have you as a subscriber :)
Unfortunately this rhyme if referencing EITHER Mary I or Mary Queen of Scots would not count as history but as propaganda! If true that it references either Queen it does so only to demonise NOT to teach! - Remember that Catholics were persecuted in the UK for Centuries after Mary I and had been persecuted during her brother's reign and at the end of her father's reign as well. Remember that John F. Kennedy was the first Catholic President of the USA and that was a big thing. Remember that until Boris Johnson no Prime Minister had been "Catholic" when he or she became Prime Minister {Blair only converted AFTER LEAVING the role}. Remember that it is STILL illegal for a Catholic to sit on the throne of England even with the CofE being blatantly worthless today!
I just found your channel and immediately subscribed. Not only is your narration pleasing to the ear, but you paint pictures with well chosen words and the research back in time is interesting and in depth. Love it.
There are so many nursery rhymes from childhood! My mum always told me that Mary, Mary was about Mary Tudor. I tend to agree. I'd love to hear you do London Bridge, Ring around the rosy, , and Jack & Jill.
My mother taught me this one along with many other nursery rhymes she heard from her mother. She was born in 1926. It's amazing how these were still told so many generations removed from England.
I believe this rhyme is about Mary 1 of England, that unmistakable line referencing her lack of heirs, ( how does your garden grow). "Quite contrary" is a reference to her unsuccessful attempt to reverse ecclesiastical changes effected by her father, Henry V111.
My son wanted me to narrate children's stories and fairy tales for coming generations to hear in great grandma's voice. I did it and remembered as I was recording the history of some of them. I remember, (I was young then) reading with horror the stories behind them. I thought after I read the nursery rhymes that I should do some videos of the histories for grownups, but you've done it so well, I don't need to. Thanks! BTW, my paternal grandmother (she of the cocktail dresses, not cookies) used to tell us a story that was terrifying, I was 7 and my sister was 3. I had nightmares for 3 nights...
This is new to me. Highly interesting. I'm going with Mary Tudor. The points seem to line up more precisely. Thank you and I'll certainly be back for more. Now to browse your play list.
I think this widespread idea has been proven to be untrue. I can’t remember where I read this - possibly in work by the Opies - but I’ll try to come back with references.
The plague explanation is false and doesn’t show up until after WWII, but was such a great dark tale that it became very real as a theory. It isn’t known exactly where the rhyme came from. What is known is that it is a child’s round dance. It’s like trying to explain other folk origins. I haven’t looked it up, but what is the history of musical chairs?
The narration and script on this video is superb. How refreshing to watch a video with a script and narration that is intelligent, literate, and clear on the ear. Well done to all those who were involved in writing and producing this video.
I don’t usually click on sites I’m unfamiliar with. Was intrigued by the subject. The introduction to this video was both Lyrical and Weird. Great combination. I subscribed. Now to watch the video.
I'm related distantly to Mary Queen of Scotts, my family line started from an illegitimate child she had with a stable hand. Her "hot bloodedness " is quite true
The graceful interpretation, soulful and married to great use of metaphor, once again establishing our language. Both written and spoken, how befitting it seems, that the very words we use to unveil the past, ousts any doubt of the language itself being created to describe these very times. We are now tied to our language, as no other language is quite as befitting the behavior of our past. Thank you kind Madame, your eloquent service to all of us. ❤🌸❤
Very interesting. Im a history buff but didnt know the origins of this peculiar nursery rhyme. Thank you for shedding some line. Excellent story telling btw!
As a very curious second language speaker, thank you so much! I absolutely love explanations of little things that native English speakers takes for granted.
I am leaning towards Mary Queen of Scots because of the line about pretty maids all in a row. The four "Maries" were composed of Mary's favorite ladies in waiting. Along with Mary herself, they were all referred to as Mary. Mary, plus the four Maries, did everything together & were highly criticized for it.
Nearly 9k subscribers in a month? Bloody well deserved. Well produced, intelligent and very very interesting. My Grandmother used to sing me nursery rhymes when I was very small. Scared the living crap out of me at the time. When I found out about their origins, I realised just why. Subbed on the strength of this vid. How's this for a possible video; "Goosey Goosey Gander?" That one really freaks me out. Oh, and for what it's worth, Thumbscrews don't seem to have been known in England during Mary Tudor's reign, and the so-called choking pear, was never used here. So, I'm going for Mary tudor, but with the cockle shells as a reference to Catholic pilgrims badges. Why not Mary Stuart? One reason; Elizabethan England had quite enough going on at that time to write ballads about, without having to go North of the Border! i.e., an almost endless succession of plots against Liz 1.
I want to express my gratitude once more for your lovely comment! It brought a smile to my face, and I genuinely appreciate you sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm. I've started delving into the intriguing history of "Goosey Goosey Gander," and it's shaping up to be a captivating subject! I'm excited to explore it further and plan to create a video about it in the near future, thank you for the idea! 🌟🦢🎥
Most common nursery rhymes have dark origins, they grew out of common folks need to satirize current events. You don't have to go back as far as Mary, Mary, or Ring Around the Rosie to find this dark humour rendered into rhyme either. Case in point: The Lizzie Borden murder trial in 1892 "Lizzie Borden took an axe She gave her mother forty whacks. When she saw what she had done She gave her father forty-one." A little more on point, but it comes from the same need the common man has to make light of dire situations.
This was really interesting - I've not heard of this nursery rhyme being linked to Mary Queen of Scots before, only Mary Tudor! A suggestion for future videos would be Old Mother Hubbard.
I had no idea this RUclips channel was so new, I found it fascinating and had plans to binge watch several videos... ah well, something to enjoy as I have subscribed and ticked the bell, and look forward to what's read next! 👍🤠👍
Great video! I have always been intrigued by the 'Goosey, Goosey Gander' poem. 😀 Goosey goosey gander, Whither shall I wander? Upstairs and downstairs, And in my lady’s chamber. There I met an old man, Who wouldn’t say his prayers, So I took him by his left leg, And threw him down the stairs.
Yeah, I've known for some time the "SINISTER SIDE" of old "Nursery Rhymes." I didn't know about this one however. I believe the "Nursery Rhyme" "Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary" has to do with the Queen of Scotland. All of these tales END BADLY, VERY SAD!!!! Thank-You for enlightening us!!!!
Um... the theory that the rhyme refers to Mary Queen of Scots is based on the final line being "and cuckolds all in a row". But the first printed version in 1744 ended with "and so my garden grows". Just sayin'. I think we sometimes go overboard with analyzing nursery rhymes, assuming that because *some* are known to have dark hidden meanings therefore *all* of them do. It's easy to claim that some word or phrase symbolizes anything you choose. That's why people believe today that the Prophecies of Nostradamus are so accurate; with sufficiently creative interpretation you can claim anything means anything. Maybe some nursery rhymes are just amiable nonsense intended to help small children develop their verbal skills, using rhymes and humor to make it fun.
Back in those days they did not usually make things fun for kids, making up rhymes like these was the 18th centuries idea of satire, meant for adults not children.
Thanks for your comment! I can understand the thinking behind one version being published at an earlier date than the other, and therefore the older one must be the 'original'. However, the authors of these works never claimed to have wrote them themselves, merely that they were penning rhymes and stories that had been past down to them from oral traditions. Back in the day, books were a rare expensive luxury, and not everyone could read or write. So, it's possible that the authors of these rhymes didn't know about each other's work before writing their own. This means there could have been different versions of the rhyme floating around at the same time, changing slightly over the years. One author was possibly passed down the version that ended "so my garden grows", the other "sing cuckolds all a row" with no prior awareness of the other. It wasn't until these rhymes started to be written down, rather than passed down orally, did we get one solid version that was known universally. You often find different words/versions of nursery rhymes used depending on geographic location too. This can be seen in the 'Hey Diddle Diddle' nursery rhyme, which sees the little dog laughing to see such 'sport', 'fun' or 'craft' depending on what region you live in! So, this all adds to the idea that these rhymes have a rich and complex history. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! :) 📚
Many Biblical stories, Aesop's fables, nursery tales, the Thousand and One Nights, the Brothers Grimm Hans and Christian Andersen fairytales, ancient Greek and Roman myths and legends, etc., are notorious for gruesome violence in the original versions and have often been "bowdlerized" to be more child-friendly.
For as long as I can remember, I always thought this nursery rhyme was about Marie Antoinette & I have no idea why or who put the idea in my head. The Mary Tudor theory, on the other hand, makes perfect sense to me though, let's face it, I've been wrong about this nursery rhyme before... Thanks for another beautifully written tale.
WOW I'm pleased to have found this channel. I remember as a young girl my friends pulled me into their circle singing these rhymes. As they got to Ring around the Rosie's pocket full of poseaies. I had a feeling of panic over came me. As young as I was my grandmother made sure I knew about any diseases. I was bathed in three inches of water in the tub with bleach and ker-o-sol pinesols cheaper cousin. As my skin burned and was scrapped off I was told about that rhythm. I walked backwards and refused to play that ryhm game. It was the posies I was a gardening feind and my grandfather could grow anything. Posieses were thought to ward off plague. It's all there I didn't find it a bit funny. As we always camped near a water source or they pacific ocean I was completely unaware she was also terrified of water. Living through the 55' flood I'm thought it might be that which made her terrified of water but she always had it along with every superstition. I can still remember that feeling that day. I was seven and remember watching black & White's about animals afflicted with anthrax. I've been through three flloods I have no fear of water or the three rivers I live wrapped in. My first in 86' I was pissed I had to leave my horse. That afternoon we'd been at the Mall where the water was busting through the huge heavy wooden doors. It was the coolest thing I'd ever seen. A bit rambling but I appreciate finding this community.😊
It always was felt to have been about Mary Tudor, she always had an ax to grind against her own father for what he did to her mother, if you wanted to live you said you followed her lead for religion, but so many hated the Catholic Church as they were surprised by it, when Henry VIII broke away and formed the English church it was no longer spoken in Latin but in English, even the lowest man in the kingdom was able to understand the sermons.
Hi I just got this in my recommended, but I do watch a lot of historical history, really enjoyed it and subbed straight away. I lived in the UK for 3 years. I reckon it’s definitely about Mary Tudor, but perhaps people in England sang it about Mary Tudor and the Scots about Mary Queen of Scots so perhaps a little interchangeable depending on where you lived. Great stuff I look forward to watching more. All the best with your subscription numbers I hope they rise quickly or at least steadily.
This was brilliant, fascinating and so well reached and narrated. Particularly like the explanations and definitions of words lost to history. Always understood it was about Mary Tudor but intriguing to here the Mary Queen of Scots theory. Thank you so much for this definitely subscribed from more
Terrific! Wonderful, story telling! A great video! A solo voice narrates historical events with artistic images blended together, gripping one's attention to the fullest sense! Thanks for sharing! 👍✌️🇬🇧
Well, quite a nice summary of Mary Queen of Scot's life, but the only probable connection to the nursery rhyme is the fact that it's about someone called Mary.
We will never truly know, but it is fun to look at all the different theories, and hopefully learn some interesting history along the way! Thanks for watching :)
I Love Learning About The History Of Nursery Rhymes! Keep Up The Great Work Resurrectionists!!! All Of These So-Called Innocent Nursery Rhymes Are Anything But That!!! Shalom And Amen!✝️✝️🛐🛐😇🌟🤗🙏🙏🙏🇨🇦🇬🇧🇮🇱♾️🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🗽🦅❤❤❤‼️
I remember this song! I remember I heard this rhyme referenced in a Undertale fansong called “secret Graden” and the chorus references the rhyme! I always wondered where it was from, thank you!
Mary probably saved her own life and crown. That cruel man she mistakenly married directly threatened her also in his orchestration of the torture and death of her secretary in her presence, despite her objections. She acted in self defense, if she was the responsible party.
As a kid I remember watching an old Disney cartoon that I loved. It talked about the possible origins of famous nursery rhymes, and this was one of them. If I recall, they suggested Mary was Mary, Queen of Scots. It being Disney, they definitely didn't included the cuckold line, but the rest was very similar.
I thought "silver bells" was a reference to burying people with a chain or string attached to a bell above the grave, in case they were not dead but in a coma or unconscious, so they could ring the bell for help. I know that was done but not sure in the same time period.
Or you have a mom who is a little on the spectrum and explained Mary Quite Contrary to you in detail when you were 6. ❤ Fortunately, kids love it when grownups are honest about the gruesome...she also gave me the Dover fairy tale books, violence included, at 7, to encourage reading. Lol😂
About the most gruesome I had was the Tale of the Red shoes where in the end the lady had to have her feet cut off b/c of the cursed shoes and the little mermaid when she had to have her tongue cut out to become human or something like that. The story of Rapunzel was based on the fact that many times a creditor did abduct the firstborn child and subjected them to slave labor for a debt owed.
My second-grade teacher gave each of her students a book at the end of the year, and mine was The Crimson Fairy Book. I spent a lot of time that summer getting lost in those stories.
@The Resurrectionists. These are all fantastic stories and any one believable! Your history story telling is fabulous and a huge thumbs up for posting! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻❤️
A history book I once read, mentioned Mary Queen of Scots as a "possible" source of this poem. It's other "possible" source was King Henry VIII's daughter, Queen Mary. Personally, I agree with your conclusion.
I read Grimm fairytales when very young. (Fortunately, my mother realized the sight method would result in an inability to read and taught me to read with phonics.) You can’t get much grimmer than Grimm…I still a remember a line from Cinderella…one if the evil stepsisters is riding away wearing THE SHOE. A bird follows, calling out, “look back, look back, there’s blood on the track,” because she cut iff a chunk of her heel in order to wear the shoe. That Cinderella wore after was disturbing. Not political, but still not exactly what young children should read. My parents actually taught me the real meaning of these rhymes back in the 1950s. Ring Around the Rosie’s, a rhyme about the plague, and still chanted back then, was never the same!
It’s funny how, as children (or at least when I was a child in dinosaur days) we were told these innocent nursery rhymes and things like Grimm’s fairy tales without knowing how truly dark they really were. It’s not until you’re an adult that you look back and say, “Omg, why would my parents TELL me that?!?” Even “Rock-a-Bye Baby”… Why do we sing that to our babies as a lullaby? It’s about a baby falling out of a tree! I somehow don’t think that’s comforting to the baby… No wonder a lot of us are messed up. We were traumatized since birth! 😂
I heard the lyrics changed, and that’s what I sang to my kids when they were little. I ended it with “And mommy will catch you, cradle and all”. I would life them up, rock them, drop them, then catch them on that line. They loved it, but my back didn’t 😂. I miss those days though
Interesting! Looking forward to more videos. I liked in your Humpty Dumpty video you read the verse (and variants) out loud at the very beginning. It’s helpful to have it fresh in your mind. Other options that would be great to learn would be Old Mother Hubbard, Ring Around the Rosie, Little Miss Moffett. Or the real stories behind fairy tales that Disney left out…
great video!! i have read the Iron Maiden never really was a functional torture device of this era and was thought up afterward / is a more modern fictional thing. real vs imagined torture devices, that could be an interesting subtopic video
My ancestors are Welsh. My instinct says the nursery rhyme is about Mary Tudor. The "how does your garden grow?" Was a double entendre. About bodies she planted, and also her inablity to conceive.
I don’t think it was about bodies acting as fertiliser cockle shells was scallop brought over as religious symbol by crusaders and bells used in catholic church at the transubstantiation first things Henry got rid were Celeste bells first reformation rhyme lot of catholic wanted to rid Church of England, but yes contrary was her eagerness to burn at the stake, the methods of admitting guilt or conversion were paradoxical used to catch people akin ducking stall
Oohhh yesss. That's super harsh. But probably correct. Damn.
My dad never could remember the last line of this poem. He'd say, "Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow? With silver bells, and cockle shells, and one damn weed." 😂 RIP Daddy ❤
And pretty maids in a row.
@@johnparinellojr.2035 And pretty maids all in a row!
...The Three Stooges: their take on the last line was "one lousy petunia" with a spritza spit-take featuring an emphatic 'p'.
Love his version 😂❤
@@johnparinellojr.2035 It's "And pretty maids all in a row".
When i was just five years old, many many years ago, there was a little girl that lived around the corner from me. Her name was Mary, i'll never forget her, fair hair with a few freckles across the nose, wore hush puppies, she was a year older than me, i think that nursery rhyme was actually written about her, she was very contrary, she never did what she was told. I'm 92
My daughter has her father's hot Irish blood. Diagnosed with opposition defiance disorder, we always called her Mary Mary so contrary
Thank you for sharing I'm so jazzed
Back then she was a firebrand! That’s so awesome! Hope she went on to great things!
British history is the worst. Know wonder they don't really teach the truth about it. UGH! 🤢🤢
What are hush puppies?
I could listen to your voice for hours. Seriously, makes my ears happy.
Anyone else ever hear voices in that way?
YES, I, too am a chaser of lustful sounding voices with prim and proper ringing tones that warm my heart and rest my weary ears.
I just hear voices...😶
AGREE...........LIKE ALEXIS CARRINTON....
no. must be a lesbian thing.
Listen to Ghost Casebook. Nicola has a wonderfully addictive and soothing voice with her posts of historical places and people( and not just the famous ones ) of interest. Have a look, you'll be hooked.
I grew up listening to these rhymes from my mother who was taught by her mother and so on. I also repeated them to my children but that’s where the tradition seems to have stopped. My grandchildren don’t have a clue and aren’t interested. The time when history was written in poetry and song is gone and been replaced with video games. Thank you for the memories and I’ve now subscribed.
Our new song memories are cringy tiktoks
“how does your garden grow”
Sounds more like BIoody Mary, whose ‘garden’ (womb) would not grow.
R
Have hopscotch and jumping rope died out? That seems to me to be where I always saw those things passed on to younger girls.
Disinherit the vile little ingrates.
This is a part of our cultural heritage that is being destroyed.
I LOVE learning the origins of nursery rhymes. ❤
Yes, I think they are a fascinating doorway into learning about history! Thank you for watching :)
ya, check out this nursery rhyme! ruclips.net/video/r3ghsO5Avcs/видео.html
Ring Around the Rosie is a pretty dark one!
You wouldn't enjoy sweet fanny Adams back story ,horrible history of the worst kind innocently ended up ,on many tongues ,even young people saying sweet fk all which sadly originated from the sad story .
Also Dice Clay's version.
When I saw the title, I immediately thought, Mary Tudor. After watching I still think that the rhyme is about her.
It makes sense that they would use a nursery rhyme to say things that would get them burned at the stake if they talked openly against the queen. Mary Queen of Scots never had the power to execute anyone so people wouldn't have to hide their criticism in a nursery rhyme. Great show. Very entertaining.
“how does your garden grow”
Sounds more like BIoody Mary, whose ‘garden’ (womb) would not grow.
R
Charles, I had always heard it was about Mary Tudor, Bloody Mary myself, not Mary Queen of Scotts.
@@jbwake838 If a Granny said it, then that must be true! Grans don’t lie! 😀😘
I once asked about this on a royal message board, and was told that the "Mary" in question could be a reference to either queen -- England or Scotland.
@@JLFAN2009 Lordy! So you got one of those non-answer answers! 😀. Kudos for going to where they should know! According to our thread here, it appears Bloody Mary is the popular choice.
I learned that “ ring around the Rosie” was really about the plague. A pocket full of posies- flower petals kept in pockets was supposed to decrease the stench of the decomposing bodies of victims of the plague. “ Ashes, ashes, we all fall down” described the ashes of the victims, who were burned to prevent the spread of the disease. All fall down was meant to describe how the disease f “ felled” victims, or struck them down dead.
I don’t know how true the story is, but there it is.
Its not ashes ashes we all fall down - itz atishoo atishoo ( sneezing) because thats what happened just before death. Well think about it- if it was ashes then the context is backwards
@@edward9643 thanks for the clarification Edward! I didn’t not know that!
@@edward9643It is Atichoo Atichoo, However sneezing isn't a symptom of the plague so the idea this is about the Plague is contested.
@@dogwalker666- could the sneezing come from the flower petals carried in the pockets? Allergies?
There was also a belief that fragrant smelling flowers could keep the infection from spreading to one’s own body, that’s why the plague doctors had those big bird noses on their masks; the beak was crammed with fragrant flowers and petals.
The Mary Tudor story seems the most plausible one to me. Excellent video. Subscribed.
Thank you, I really appreciate your kind words and subscription: welcome! :D
I agree. To both.
One great historical mystery is why they called her "Bloody Mary." Surely it ought to have been "Crispy Mary," since she liked to burn people at the stake.
Mary Tudor was half sister to Queen Elizabeth and daughter to King Henry via Catherine of Spain. Mary Queen of Scots is the real subject as this video relates too.
@@kevinjamesparr552 You didn't watch the full video before commenting did you?
You forgot to mention that Mary Queen of Scots was heavily pregnant at the time of Risotto's murder in her rooms. And that Bothwell was suspended of Darley's murder as Mary's revenge for Ritsios murder. She is reputed to have run away with Bothwell to escape the displeasure of her nobles intact not long after her escape to northern England the nobles had her baby son crowned king in her place and several of her male relatives ran Scotland untill he was old enough to rule in his own right. And what a nasty little king he turned out to be
Cockle shells were also the symbol of St. James, a Catholic saint. "Pretty maids all in a row" could also refer to nuns in a convent.
You're referring to a scallop shell which represents St James in the Church, not a cockle shell, huge difference!
Your wrong sorry
On a lighter note though, the rhyme "Pussy Cat, pussy cat where have you been?" is based on Queen Victoria's experience. She absolutely hated cats, but hated mice even more!!! There was one tom cat she allowed who slept under her throne. He was a very good mouser and would go hunting every night. So "where have you been (hunting today?")
I just bought my littlest grandchildren the Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes. They love it. Now when they get older, I will teach them what you have taught me here. I love listening to your voice. Keep the videos coming
Thank you so much 🖤☺️
History through fairy tales and nursery ryhmes is a clever way to educate and have people remember what has happened. Your time and effort in producing these videos is greatly appreciated. A joy to watch. Glad I finally found you again and this time Subscribed. 😊🙏
Thank you so much for your heart-warming comment! 😊 I'm thrilled that you find the approach of exploring history through fairy tales and nursery rhymes engaging and educational! Your kind words mean the world to me, and I'm truly grateful for your appreciation and support. Welcome back, and I'm honoured to have you as a subscriber :)
They’re great
I never appreciated them fully until I was older & found out their legit meanings tho
@@The-Resurrectionists🎉👑 awesome video
Mary got what she deserved in the end ! She was wrong for what she attempted to do to England!
Unfortunately this rhyme if referencing EITHER Mary I or Mary Queen of Scots would not count as history but as propaganda!
If true that it references either Queen it does so only to demonise NOT to teach!
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Remember that Catholics were persecuted in the UK for Centuries after Mary I and had been persecuted during her brother's reign and at the end of her father's reign as well.
Remember that John F. Kennedy was the first Catholic President of the USA and that was a big thing.
Remember that until Boris Johnson no Prime Minister had been "Catholic" when he or she became Prime Minister {Blair only converted AFTER LEAVING the role}.
Remember that it is STILL illegal for a Catholic to sit on the throne of England even with the CofE being blatantly worthless today!
I just found your channel and immediately subscribed. Not only is your narration pleasing to the ear, but you paint pictures with well chosen words and the research back in time is interesting and in depth. Love it.
Same!
There are so many nursery rhymes from childhood! My mum always told me that Mary, Mary was about Mary Tudor. I tend to agree. I'd love to hear you do London Bridge, Ring around the rosy, , and Jack & Jill.
I just love to hear the narrator's voice. It's crisp, clear, soft and hypnotizing.
Thank you so much 😊🖤
My mother taught me this one along with many other nursery rhymes she heard from her mother. She was born in 1926. It's amazing how these were still told so many generations removed from England.
I believe this rhyme is about Mary 1 of England, that unmistakable line referencing her lack of heirs, ( how does your garden grow). "Quite contrary" is a reference to her unsuccessful attempt to reverse ecclesiastical changes effected by her father, Henry V111.
My son wanted me to narrate children's stories and fairy tales for coming generations to hear in great grandma's voice. I did it and remembered as I was recording the history of some of them. I remember, (I was young then) reading with horror the stories behind them. I thought after I read the nursery rhymes that I should do some videos of the histories for grownups, but you've done it so well, I don't need to. Thanks! BTW, my paternal grandmother (she of the cocktail dresses, not cookies) used to tell us a story that was terrifying, I was 7 and my sister was 3. I had nightmares for 3 nights...
We need to know the scary tales! Don't stop there!
Well of course you do. Your voice is special to your family.
That is so kind of you, I will never forget my recording of Peter Piper.,,over and over because I just kept laughing! @@JoyPeace-ej2uv
Yes, what was the terrifying story?
This is new to me. Highly interesting. I'm going with Mary Tudor. The points seem to line up more precisely. Thank you and I'll certainly be back for more. Now to browse your play list.
Thank you so much! I really appreciate your support and I'm so glad you enjoyed the video :)
Ring around the rosey, was a rhyme about a plague that had a red rash with a ring around it. “They all fall down” means they all died.
@@phaedrapage4217I thought it was a reference to a pocket full of potion, as in medicine.
I think this widespread idea has been proven to be untrue. I can’t remember where I read this - possibly in work by the Opies - but I’ll try to come back with references.
The plague explanation is false and doesn’t show up until after WWII, but was such a great dark tale that it became very real as a theory. It isn’t known exactly where the rhyme came from. What is known is that it is a child’s round dance. It’s like trying to explain other folk origins. I haven’t looked it up, but what is the history of musical chairs?
@oakmaiden2133.., Concise, & shocking..Beautiful..Love it..✌️😳
"Painting their connection with forbidden colors"- FABULOUS imagery ❤
The narration and script on this video is superb. How refreshing to watch a video with a script and narration that is intelligent, literate, and clear on the ear. Well done to all those who were involved in writing and producing this video.
I don’t usually click on sites I’m unfamiliar with. Was intrigued by the subject. The introduction to this video was both Lyrical and Weird. Great combination. I subscribed. Now to watch the video.
you probably dont talk to strangers either! but is it a good policy?
I'm related distantly to Mary Queen of Scotts, my family line started from an illegitimate child she had with a stable hand. Her "hot bloodedness " is quite true
I feel you. Im related to some high ranking dicks but it dont ever help you...
More please! Well done, this is exactly the kind of storytelling that I love. A story within a story… Within a story
Thank you so much! 😊🖤
The graceful interpretation, soulful and married to great use of metaphor, once again establishing our language. Both written and spoken, how befitting it seems, that the very words we use to unveil the past, ousts any doubt of the language itself being created to describe these very times.
We are now tied to our language, as no other language is quite as befitting the behavior of our past.
Thank you kind Madame, your eloquent service to all of us.
❤🌸❤
Nothing is better than drama. Great analysis of the stories sorrounding these two Marys
Very interesting. Im a history buff but didnt know the origins of this peculiar nursery rhyme. Thank you for shedding some line. Excellent story telling btw!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for the kind words 😊🖤
As a very curious second language speaker, thank you so much! I absolutely love explanations of little things that native English speakers takes for granted.
I am leaning towards Mary Queen of Scots because of the line about pretty maids all in a row. The four "Maries" were composed of Mary's favorite ladies in waiting. Along with Mary herself, they were all referred to as Mary. Mary, plus the four Maries, did everything together & were highly criticized for it.
Such a beautiful song, with a tragic meaning
“how does your garden grow”
Sounds more like BIoody Mary, whose ‘garden’ (womb) would not grow.
R
@@RalphEllis
Think thats a bit of a stretch to be honest.
Who would call a baby/womb "a garden" ? ...
Seems a "incongruous" to put it mildly
Has been a metaphor in many instances. Referenced in Song of Solomons. Also, in a song by the band Heart...@@rainblaze.
@@rainblaze.planting ones seed.
I'll never understand channels asking people to subscribe before we've even watched the video!
Another very interesting post. History never ceases to amaze us. 👍👍 Well done.
Thank you so much 😊🖤
Nearly 9k subscribers in a month? Bloody well deserved. Well produced, intelligent and very very interesting. My Grandmother used to sing me nursery rhymes when I was very small. Scared the living crap out of me at the time. When I found out about their origins, I realised just why. Subbed on the strength of this vid.
How's this for a possible video; "Goosey Goosey Gander?" That one really freaks me out.
Oh, and for what it's worth, Thumbscrews don't seem to have been known in England during Mary Tudor's reign, and the so-called choking pear, was never used here. So, I'm going for Mary tudor, but with the cockle shells as a reference to Catholic pilgrims badges. Why not Mary Stuart? One reason; Elizabethan England had quite enough going on at that time to write ballads about, without having to go North of the Border! i.e., an almost endless succession of plots against Liz 1.
Thank you so much for your kind words and support, it's really appreciated! :)
I want to express my gratitude once more for your lovely comment! It brought a smile to my face, and I genuinely appreciate you sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm.
I've started delving into the intriguing history of "Goosey Goosey Gander," and it's shaping up to be a captivating subject! I'm excited to explore it further and plan to create a video about it in the near future, thank you for the idea! 🌟🦢🎥
Oh goody…can’t wait for one on Goosey! Also scared the bejesus out of me!
Where all the content
"Bloody"?? Think before you speak next time.
Bloody Mary (Mary Tudor) seems the most likely inspiration for this nursery rhyme. This was wonderfully presented. Your voice is very soothing.
Most common nursery rhymes have dark origins, they grew out of common folks need to satirize current events.
You don't have to go back as far as Mary, Mary, or Ring Around the Rosie to find this dark humour rendered into rhyme either.
Case in point:
The Lizzie Borden murder trial in 1892
"Lizzie Borden took an axe
She gave her mother forty whacks.
When she saw what she had done
She gave her father forty-one."
A little more on point, but it comes from the same need the common man has to make light of dire situations.
Subscribed! Love the old art and as for Mary Queen of Scots' love life, wow! 5 stars.
Thank you so much! 🖤☺️
What an enchanting channel, so glad I found it ... great job on this one ❤
Man your tone and diction are beautiful to listen to. Thank you
Thank you so much! 😊🖤
Now this is one of my favorite types of history to learn about. Fairy-tales and nursery rhymes 👸 👑 ♠️
Me too! :D Thank you for your lovely comment :)
I cannot wait to see more videos from you! This was brilliantly executed!
Thank you so much! More on the way! :)
Just found your channel and am now subscribed, I love learning history and this is great.
Thank you so much for your support and kind words, they mean the world to me! Welcome! :)
My Dad used to recite this rhyme to me as a child here and there. Now i will never see it the same. Thank you for the insight.
Perfectly narrated.
Excellent storytelling and examination of the rhyme. Quite chilling to listen to in the dark. Subscribed
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed :)
This was really interesting - I've not heard of this nursery rhyme being linked to Mary Queen of Scots before, only Mary Tudor!
A suggestion for future videos would be Old Mother Hubbard.
I had no idea this RUclips channel was so new, I found it fascinating and had plans to binge watch several videos... ah well, something to enjoy as I have subscribed and ticked the bell, and look forward to what's read next! 👍🤠👍
Great video! I have always been intrigued by the 'Goosey, Goosey Gander' poem. 😀
Goosey goosey gander,
Whither shall I wander?
Upstairs and downstairs,
And in my lady’s chamber.
There I met an old man,
Who wouldn’t say his prayers,
So I took him by his left leg,
And threw him down the stairs.
This is fantastic. I could listen to the narrator all day.
Wow, thank you!
Yeah, I've known for some time the "SINISTER SIDE" of old "Nursery Rhymes." I didn't know about this one however. I believe the "Nursery Rhyme" "Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary" has to do with the Queen of Scotland. All of these tales END BADLY, VERY SAD!!!! Thank-You for enlightening us!!!!
This was fascinating. Thank you for posting.
Glad you enjoyed! :)
Um... the theory that the rhyme refers to Mary Queen of Scots is based on the final line being "and cuckolds all in a row". But the first printed version in 1744 ended with "and so my garden grows". Just sayin'.
I think we sometimes go overboard with analyzing nursery rhymes, assuming that because *some* are known to have dark hidden meanings therefore *all* of them do. It's easy to claim that some word or phrase symbolizes anything you choose. That's why people believe today that the Prophecies of Nostradamus are so accurate; with sufficiently creative interpretation you can claim anything means anything.
Maybe some nursery rhymes are just amiable nonsense intended to help small children develop their verbal skills, using rhymes and humor to make it fun.
Back in those days they did not usually make things fun for kids, making up rhymes like these was the 18th centuries idea of satire, meant for adults not children.
Thanks for your comment! I can understand the thinking behind one version being published at an earlier date than the other, and therefore the older one must be the 'original'. However, the authors of these works never claimed to have wrote them themselves, merely that they were penning rhymes and stories that had been past down to them from oral traditions. Back in the day, books were a rare expensive luxury, and not everyone could read or write. So, it's possible that the authors of these rhymes didn't know about each other's work before writing their own. This means there could have been different versions of the rhyme floating around at the same time, changing slightly over the years. One author was possibly passed down the version that ended "so my garden grows", the other "sing cuckolds all a row" with no prior awareness of the other. It wasn't until these rhymes started to be written down, rather than passed down orally, did we get one solid version that was known universally. You often find different words/versions of nursery rhymes used depending on geographic location too. This can be seen in the 'Hey Diddle Diddle' nursery rhyme, which sees the little dog laughing to see such 'sport', 'fun' or 'craft' depending on what region you live in! So, this all adds to the idea that these rhymes have a rich and complex history. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! :) 📚
Many Biblical stories, Aesop's fables, nursery tales, the Thousand and One Nights, the Brothers Grimm Hans and Christian Andersen fairytales, ancient Greek and Roman myths and legends, etc., are notorious for gruesome violence in the original versions and have often been "bowdlerized" to be more child-friendly.
For as long as I can remember, I always thought this nursery rhyme was about Marie Antoinette & I have no idea why or who put the idea in my head.
The Mary Tudor theory, on the other hand, makes perfect sense to me though, let's face it, I've been wrong about this nursery rhyme before...
Thanks for another beautifully written tale.
No. It's the Queen of Scots who is this Mary.
I always thought that the nursery rhyme referred to Bloody Mary, that is what I was told by my older relatives.
Just found your channel and thoroughly impressed by the depth of research. Subscribed.
"London Bridge Is Falling Down' is one about which I've often wondered. I recall " Ring Around the Rosie" being about the Black Plague...
London Bridge is fascinating, I'm planning a future video on that one so stay tuned! Thank you so much for your support, it means the world to me :)
@@The-Resurrectionists 😊💀😂
Ring around the rosey is about roseola
WOW I'm pleased to have found this channel. I remember as a young girl my friends pulled me into their circle singing these rhymes. As they got to Ring around the Rosie's pocket full of poseaies. I had a feeling of panic over came me. As young as I was my grandmother made sure I knew about any diseases. I was bathed in three inches of water in the tub with bleach and ker-o-sol pinesols cheaper cousin. As my skin burned and was scrapped off I was told about that rhythm. I walked backwards and refused to play that ryhm game. It was the posies I was a gardening feind and my grandfather could grow anything. Posieses were thought to ward off plague. It's all there I didn't find it a bit funny. As we always camped near a water source or they pacific ocean I was completely unaware she was also terrified of water. Living through the 55' flood I'm thought it might be that which made her terrified of water but she always had it along with every superstition. I can still remember that feeling that day. I was seven and remember watching black & White's about animals afflicted with anthrax. I've been through three flloods I have no fear of water or the three rivers I live wrapped in. My first in 86' I was pissed I had to leave my horse. That afternoon we'd been at the Mall where the water was busting through the huge heavy wooden doors. It was the coolest thing I'd ever seen. A bit rambling but I appreciate finding this community.😊
Brilliant. I would love to see several movies (or books) from every perspective. With a final version as a combination of all.
"Every perspective"? What the....? The only one that matters is the TRUE perspective! Only truth has rights. Error has no rights.
Fascinating stuff, love this learning the truth behind nursery rhymes , Thankyou
It always was felt to have been about Mary Tudor, she always had an ax to grind against her own father for what he did to her mother, if you wanted to live you said you followed her lead for religion, but so many hated the Catholic Church as they were surprised by it, when Henry VIII broke away and formed the English church it was no longer spoken in Latin but in English, even the lowest man in the kingdom was able to understand the sermons.
(audible gasp from the upper class) 😳
I always thought it was about Mary, too. It was far more applicable to her.
But let’s not forget, her sister Elizabeth I also martyred and tortured Catholics and priests.
Me too
I was always told it was about Mary Tudor too.
Hi I just got this in my recommended, but I do watch a lot of historical history, really enjoyed it and subbed straight away. I lived in the UK for 3 years. I reckon it’s definitely about Mary Tudor, but perhaps people in England sang it about Mary Tudor and the Scots about Mary Queen of Scots so perhaps a little interchangeable depending on where you lived. Great stuff I look forward to watching more. All the best with your subscription numbers I hope they rise quickly or at least steadily.
Thank you so much and welcome! 😊🖤 I definitely think it was interchanged between England and Scotland!
@@The-Resurrectionists Yes absolutely. Thank you for the reply now it’s off to work for me on this beautiful spring Saturday morning.
This was brilliant, fascinating and so well reached and narrated. Particularly like the explanations and definitions of words lost to history.
Always understood it was about Mary Tudor but intriguing to here the Mary Queen of Scots theory.
Thank you so much for this definitely subscribed from more
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you so much for the support and kind words, they mean the world to me! :)
Terrific!
Wonderful, story telling!
A great video! A solo voice narrates historical events with artistic images blended together, gripping one's attention to the fullest sense!
Thanks for sharing! 👍✌️🇬🇧
Your channel just popped up on my feed and I'm glad it did! I love this stuff! Great video! New subscriber!
Thank you so much! I really appreciate your kind words and support: Welcome! :)
That was well written and presented,thank you.
Well, quite a nice summary of Mary Queen of Scot's life, but the only probable connection to the nursery rhyme is the fact that it's about someone called Mary.
We will never truly know, but it is fun to look at all the different theories, and hopefully learn some interesting history along the way! Thanks for watching :)
I Love Learning About The History Of Nursery Rhymes! Keep Up The Great Work Resurrectionists!!! All Of These So-Called Innocent Nursery Rhymes Are Anything But That!!! Shalom And Amen!✝️✝️🛐🛐😇🌟🤗🙏🙏🙏🇨🇦🇬🇧🇮🇱♾️🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🗽🦅❤❤❤‼️
Great job ! Liked and subscribed 🧡🙏🏻
This is really fantastic story telling. Brilliantly written and the narration was dramatic and vibrant. Really well done.
Thank you for your kind words 😊🖤
Excellent history lesson! I really enjoyed this.
Thank you! I'm so happy you enjoyed it :) 🖤
Fantastic stuff 😍
I was so enthralled with your story that at times I forgot that is was in relation to the nursery rhyme! Wonderful content!
Thank you so much 😊🖤
Love the channel, love your voice. What’s next? I guess I’ll have to wait and see.
Thank you so much for your kind words :)
I love this kind of stuff. You have my sub.
Thank you so much! 😊🖤
You should read for audio books... great voice. Very soothing...
I loved this video. I hope you do more.
Thank you, I will! :)
This is some top their story telling 👏🏿👏🏿
I remember this song! I remember I heard this rhyme referenced in a Undertale fansong called “secret Graden” and the chorus references the rhyme! I always wondered where it was from, thank you!
Mary probably saved her own life and crown. That cruel man she mistakenly married directly threatened her also in his orchestration of the torture and death of her secretary in her presence, despite her objections. She acted in self defense, if she was the responsible party.
Just watching this one video of yours, I'm already hooked!
Thank you! 😊🖤
As a kid I remember watching an old Disney cartoon that I loved. It talked about the possible origins of famous nursery rhymes, and this was one of them. If I recall, they suggested Mary was Mary, Queen of Scots. It being Disney, they definitely didn't included the cuckold line, but the rest was very similar.
ruclips.net/video/yWKuVbJiS4I/видео.htmlsi=e2LHoN4BM5L6I33J
I just discovered this channel and I LOVE it! Thank you 🙏❤️
I thought "silver bells" was a reference to burying people with a chain or string attached to a bell above the grave, in case they were not dead but in a coma or unconscious, so they could ring the bell for help. I know that was done but not sure in the same time period.
Thanks for the eye opening origin of verses I heard as a child.
I will go with Mary Queen of Scots, the Scottish court was full of intrigue. Interesting channel, Subscribed
Thank you for your support, it means the world to me! Welcome! :)
Adding to the spine-tingling mystery and what goes bump in the night! Paraphrasing of course, but enjoy all the connotations.
Huh. I always thought it was about Mary Tudor. Thank you for the history!
You're so welcome, thank you for watching and commenting :D
I enjoyed listening to the narrator's voice, beautifully melodic, and I subscribed.
Or you have a mom who is a little on the spectrum and explained Mary Quite Contrary to you in detail when you were 6. ❤ Fortunately, kids love it when grownups are honest about the gruesome...she also gave me the Dover fairy tale books, violence included, at 7, to encourage reading. Lol😂
I had the Dover books too. ETA: and the Edward Gorey books. Miss those…
Gotta love those moms 😉
About the most gruesome I had was the Tale of the Red shoes where in the end the lady had to have her feet cut off b/c of the cursed shoes and the little mermaid when she had to have her tongue cut out to become human or something like that. The story of Rapunzel was based on the fact that many times a creditor did abduct the firstborn child and subjected them to slave labor for a debt owed.
My second-grade teacher gave each of her students a book at the end of the year, and mine was The Crimson Fairy Book. I spent a lot of time that summer getting lost in those stories.
@The Resurrectionists. These are all fantastic stories and any one believable! Your history story telling is fabulous and a huge thumbs up for posting! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻❤️
A history book I once read, mentioned Mary Queen of Scots as a "possible" source of this poem. It's other "possible" source was King Henry VIII's daughter, Queen Mary. Personally, I agree with your conclusion.
Just found your channel and love it 👍🏻
Thank you so much 😊🖤
I read Grimm fairytales when very young. (Fortunately, my mother realized the sight method would result in an inability to read and taught me to read with phonics.) You can’t get much grimmer than Grimm…I still a remember a line from Cinderella…one if the evil stepsisters is riding away wearing THE SHOE. A bird follows, calling out, “look back, look back, there’s blood on the track,” because she cut iff a chunk of her heel in order to wear the shoe. That Cinderella wore after was disturbing. Not political, but still not exactly what young children should read. My parents actually taught me the real meaning of these rhymes back in the 1950s. Ring Around the Rosie’s, a rhyme about the plague, and still chanted back then, was never the same!
Very interesting. I happen to be a Stewart. Love history and the varied ways we learn that
"Ring around the rosy" is another popular nursery rhyme with sinister origins (it's a reference to the plague that caused the Black Death).
So interesting
Thank you, I'm thrilled you enjoyed it!
Terrific!!!
Wonderful voice and narration!!!
😇
Thank you 😊🖤
It’s funny how, as children (or at least when I was a child in dinosaur days) we were told these innocent nursery rhymes and things like Grimm’s fairy tales without knowing how truly dark they really were. It’s not until you’re an adult that you look back and say, “Omg, why would my parents TELL me that?!?” Even “Rock-a-Bye Baby”… Why do we sing that to our babies as a lullaby? It’s about a baby falling out of a tree! I somehow don’t think that’s comforting to the baby… No wonder a lot of us are messed up. We were traumatized since birth! 😂
Just getting us ready from birth for how transfix the real world is, is small age appropriate doses of course lol
What about "this little piggy went to the market".....it's about slaughtering the pigs for consumption...odd we tell it on children's toes
🤔🤔 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣
I heard the lyrics changed, and that’s what I sang to my kids when they were little. I ended it with “And mommy will catch you, cradle and all”. I would life them up, rock them, drop them, then catch them on that line. They loved it, but my back didn’t 😂. I miss those days though
@@justineharper3346 I did that too !(altered the words) -- I told them "--- and daddy will catch you, cradle and all'
Interesting! Looking forward to more videos. I liked in your Humpty Dumpty video you read the verse (and variants) out loud at the very beginning. It’s helpful to have it fresh in your mind.
Other options that would be great to learn would be Old Mother Hubbard, Ring Around the Rosie, Little Miss Moffett. Or the real stories behind fairy tales that Disney left out…
great video!! i have read the Iron Maiden never really was a functional torture device of this era and was thought up afterward / is a more modern fictional thing. real vs imagined torture devices, that could be an interesting subtopic video
Love that video idea! Thank you for watching :D