Why is Humpty Dumpty an egg?
There are various theories of the origin of Humpty Dumpty. According to an insert taken from the East Anglia Tourist Board in England, Humpty Dumpty was a powerful cannon during the English Civil War. It was mounted on top of the St Mary’s at the Wall Church in Colchester defending the city against siege in the summer of 1648. Although Colchester was a Parliamentarian stronghold, it had been captured by the Royalists; they held it for 11 weeks. The church tower was hit by the enemy and the top of the tower was blown off, sending “Humpty” tumbling to the ground. Naturally the King’s men (the “men” would have been infantry, and “horses” the cavalry troops) tried to mend “him” but in vain. Visitors to Colchester can see the reconstructed Church tower as they reach the top of Balkerne Hill on the left hand side of the road. In another theory, Humpty Dumpty referred to King Richard III of England, the hunchbacked monarch, whose horse was named “Wall”. During the battle of Bosworth Field, he
