Susan has uncovered the scandals and strife lurking behind nursery rhymes
Nursery rhymes, including Humpty Dumpty and Old Mother Hubbard, may be passed off as fun, but Susan Ackroyd has found they often have hidden meanings.
The author has done a deep dive into the back stories of some of these childhood favourites, which she described as "cultural treasure".
"It tells us the history; parliamentary democracy, a constitutional monarchy, we learn all of that through knowing these rhymes."
Read more in The Senior
She explores the stories behind 26 rhymes from the 1200s-1700s in her book Rhyme & Reason Edition 2: Mystery & History.
There, she uncovers royal scandals, political upheaval and religious power struggles, and commentary around these all hidden in creative ways.
She said Old Mother Hubbard was about King Henry VIII seeking an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon so he could marry Anne Boleyn.
In that rhyme, King Henry VIII's advisor Cardinal Thomas Wolsey was the mother, Henry is the dog, and the bone was the annulment.
Mrs Ackroyd said Humpty Dumpty was a name given to a large cannon mounted on a wall in Colchester that King Charles I's army used during the English Civil War in the 1600s.
But the opposition shot at the wall, causing the cannon to fall.
"The egg [analogy] is rather ridiculous when you think about it, but that reflects the fragility of the weaponry at the time," she said.
Mrs Ackroyd, 78, who lives on a rural property near Lithgow, NSW, found the information about the rhymes through sources including University of Oxford professors, plus other texts, and has annotated the references in the book.
The book includes the rhymes, Mrs Ackroyd's research about the stories behind them, and illustrations by her neighbour Nicol Reid.
Mrs Ackroyd said it was interesting how people expressed themselves when there was great upheaval, and many of these rhymes were shared orally, particularly as literacy was low and retribution was high.
"If you went around saying 'King Henry VIII sucks' publicly, you would probably end up in jail or with the head lopped off... so he's described in a little rhyme," she said.
Mrs Ackroyd said the melodies that went with these rhymes were among the reasons they've lasted so long.
She likes to share some of the rhymes with her grandchildren, aged three and one, including Baa Baa Black Sheep and Humpty Dumpty.
As some rhymes have dark or violent themes, she said she wouldn't share those sections with children. But what could be done is use the rhymes as launchpads to share the stories behind them.
The book is out now through Boolarong Press, RRP $29.99
Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE.
Nursery rhymes, including Humpty Dumpty and Old Mother Hubbard, may be passed off as fun, but Susan Ackroyd has found they often have hidden meanings.
The author has done a deep dive into the back stories of some of these childhood favourites, which she described as "cultural treasure".
"It tells us the history; parliamentary democracy, a constitutional monarchy, we learn all of that through knowing these rhymes."
Read more in The Senior
She explores the stories behind 26 rhymes from the 1200s-1700s in her book Rhyme & Reason Edition 2: Mystery & History.
There, she uncovers royal scandals, political upheaval and religious power struggles, and commentary around these all hidden in creative ways.
She said Old Mother Hubbard was about King Henry VIII seeking an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon so he could marry Anne Boleyn.
In that rhyme, King Henry VIII's advisor Cardinal Thomas Wolsey was the mother, Henry is the dog, and the bone was the annulment.
Mrs Ackroyd said Humpty Dumpty was a name given to a large cannon mounted on a wall in Colchester that King Charles I's army used during the English Civil War in the 1600s.
But the opposition shot at the wall, causing the cannon to fall.
"The egg [analogy] is rather ridiculous when you think about it, but that reflects the fragility of the weaponry at the time," she said.
Mrs Ackroyd, 78, who lives on a rural property near Lithgow, NSW, found the information about the rhymes through sources including University of Oxford professors, plus other texts, and has annotated the references in the book.
The book includes the rhymes, Mrs Ackroyd's research about the stories behind them, and illustrations by her neighbour Nicol Reid.
Mrs Ackroyd said it was interesting how people expressed themselves when there was great upheaval, and many of these rhymes were shared orally, particularly as literacy was low and retribution was high.
"If you went around saying 'King Henry VIII sucks' publicly, you would probably end up in jail or with the head lopped off... so he's described in a little rhyme," she said.
Mrs Ackroyd said the melodies that went with these rhymes were among the reasons they've lasted so long.
She likes to share some of the rhymes with her grandchildren, aged three and one, including Baa Baa Black Sheep and Humpty Dumpty.
As some rhymes have dark or violent themes, she said she wouldn't share those sections with children. But what could be done is use the rhymes as launchpads to share the stories behind them.
The book is out now through Boolarong Press, RRP $29.99
Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE.
Nursery rhymes, including Humpty Dumpty and Old Mother Hubbard, may be passed off as fun, but Susan Ackroyd has found they often have hidden meanings.
The author has done a deep dive into the back stories of some of these childhood favourites, which she described as "cultural treasure".
"It tells us the history; parliamentary democracy, a constitutional monarchy, we learn all of that through knowing these rhymes."
Read more in The Senior
She explores the stories behind 26 rhymes from the 1200s-1700s in her book Rhyme & Reason Edition 2: Mystery & History.
There, she uncovers royal scandals, political upheaval and religious power struggles, and commentary around these all hidden in creative ways.
She said Old Mother Hubbard was about King Henry VIII seeking an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon so he could marry Anne Boleyn.
In that rhyme, King Henry VIII's advisor Cardinal Thomas Wolsey was the mother, Henry is the dog, and the bone was the annulment.
Mrs Ackroyd said Humpty Dumpty was a name given to a large cannon mounted on a wall in Colchester that King Charles I's army used during the English Civil War in the 1600s.
But the opposition shot at the wall, causing the cannon to fall.
"The egg [analogy] is rather ridiculous when you think about it, but that reflects the fragility of the weaponry at the time," she said.
Mrs Ackroyd, 78, who lives on a rural property near Lithgow, NSW, found the information about the rhymes through sources including University of Oxford professors, plus other texts, and has annotated the references in the book.
The book includes the rhymes, Mrs Ackroyd's research about the stories behind them, and illustrations by her neighbour Nicol Reid.
Mrs Ackroyd said it was interesting how people expressed themselves when there was great upheaval, and many of these rhymes were shared orally, particularly as literacy was low and retribution was high.
"If you went around saying 'King Henry VIII sucks' publicly, you would probably end up in jail or with the head lopped off... so he's described in a little rhyme," she said.
Mrs Ackroyd said the melodies that went with these rhymes were among the reasons they've lasted so long.
She likes to share some of the rhymes with her grandchildren, aged three and one, including Baa Baa Black Sheep and Humpty Dumpty.
As some rhymes have dark or violent themes, she said she wouldn't share those sections with children. But what could be done is use the rhymes as launchpads to share the stories behind them.
The book is out now through Boolarong Press, RRP $29.99
Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE.
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The Advertiser
a day ago
- The Advertiser
Susan has uncovered the scandals and strife lurking behind nursery rhymes
Nursery rhymes, including Humpty Dumpty and Old Mother Hubbard, may be passed off as fun, but Susan Ackroyd has found they often have hidden meanings. The author has done a deep dive into the back stories of some of these childhood favourites, which she described as "cultural treasure". "It tells us the history; parliamentary democracy, a constitutional monarchy, we learn all of that through knowing these rhymes." Read more in The Senior She explores the stories behind 26 rhymes from the 1200s-1700s in her book Rhyme & Reason Edition 2: Mystery & History. There, she uncovers royal scandals, political upheaval and religious power struggles, and commentary around these all hidden in creative ways. She said Old Mother Hubbard was about King Henry VIII seeking an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon so he could marry Anne Boleyn. In that rhyme, King Henry VIII's advisor Cardinal Thomas Wolsey was the mother, Henry is the dog, and the bone was the annulment. Mrs Ackroyd said Humpty Dumpty was a name given to a large cannon mounted on a wall in Colchester that King Charles I's army used during the English Civil War in the 1600s. But the opposition shot at the wall, causing the cannon to fall. "The egg [analogy] is rather ridiculous when you think about it, but that reflects the fragility of the weaponry at the time," she said. Mrs Ackroyd, 78, who lives on a rural property near Lithgow, NSW, found the information about the rhymes through sources including University of Oxford professors, plus other texts, and has annotated the references in the book. The book includes the rhymes, Mrs Ackroyd's research about the stories behind them, and illustrations by her neighbour Nicol Reid. Mrs Ackroyd said it was interesting how people expressed themselves when there was great upheaval, and many of these rhymes were shared orally, particularly as literacy was low and retribution was high. "If you went around saying 'King Henry VIII sucks' publicly, you would probably end up in jail or with the head lopped off... so he's described in a little rhyme," she said. Mrs Ackroyd said the melodies that went with these rhymes were among the reasons they've lasted so long. She likes to share some of the rhymes with her grandchildren, aged three and one, including Baa Baa Black Sheep and Humpty Dumpty. As some rhymes have dark or violent themes, she said she wouldn't share those sections with children. But what could be done is use the rhymes as launchpads to share the stories behind them. The book is out now through Boolarong Press, RRP $29.99 Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. Nursery rhymes, including Humpty Dumpty and Old Mother Hubbard, may be passed off as fun, but Susan Ackroyd has found they often have hidden meanings. The author has done a deep dive into the back stories of some of these childhood favourites, which she described as "cultural treasure". "It tells us the history; parliamentary democracy, a constitutional monarchy, we learn all of that through knowing these rhymes." Read more in The Senior She explores the stories behind 26 rhymes from the 1200s-1700s in her book Rhyme & Reason Edition 2: Mystery & History. There, she uncovers royal scandals, political upheaval and religious power struggles, and commentary around these all hidden in creative ways. She said Old Mother Hubbard was about King Henry VIII seeking an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon so he could marry Anne Boleyn. In that rhyme, King Henry VIII's advisor Cardinal Thomas Wolsey was the mother, Henry is the dog, and the bone was the annulment. Mrs Ackroyd said Humpty Dumpty was a name given to a large cannon mounted on a wall in Colchester that King Charles I's army used during the English Civil War in the 1600s. But the opposition shot at the wall, causing the cannon to fall. "The egg [analogy] is rather ridiculous when you think about it, but that reflects the fragility of the weaponry at the time," she said. Mrs Ackroyd, 78, who lives on a rural property near Lithgow, NSW, found the information about the rhymes through sources including University of Oxford professors, plus other texts, and has annotated the references in the book. The book includes the rhymes, Mrs Ackroyd's research about the stories behind them, and illustrations by her neighbour Nicol Reid. Mrs Ackroyd said it was interesting how people expressed themselves when there was great upheaval, and many of these rhymes were shared orally, particularly as literacy was low and retribution was high. "If you went around saying 'King Henry VIII sucks' publicly, you would probably end up in jail or with the head lopped off... so he's described in a little rhyme," she said. Mrs Ackroyd said the melodies that went with these rhymes were among the reasons they've lasted so long. She likes to share some of the rhymes with her grandchildren, aged three and one, including Baa Baa Black Sheep and Humpty Dumpty. As some rhymes have dark or violent themes, she said she wouldn't share those sections with children. But what could be done is use the rhymes as launchpads to share the stories behind them. The book is out now through Boolarong Press, RRP $29.99 Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. Nursery rhymes, including Humpty Dumpty and Old Mother Hubbard, may be passed off as fun, but Susan Ackroyd has found they often have hidden meanings. The author has done a deep dive into the back stories of some of these childhood favourites, which she described as "cultural treasure". "It tells us the history; parliamentary democracy, a constitutional monarchy, we learn all of that through knowing these rhymes." Read more in The Senior She explores the stories behind 26 rhymes from the 1200s-1700s in her book Rhyme & Reason Edition 2: Mystery & History. There, she uncovers royal scandals, political upheaval and religious power struggles, and commentary around these all hidden in creative ways. She said Old Mother Hubbard was about King Henry VIII seeking an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon so he could marry Anne Boleyn. In that rhyme, King Henry VIII's advisor Cardinal Thomas Wolsey was the mother, Henry is the dog, and the bone was the annulment. Mrs Ackroyd said Humpty Dumpty was a name given to a large cannon mounted on a wall in Colchester that King Charles I's army used during the English Civil War in the 1600s. But the opposition shot at the wall, causing the cannon to fall. "The egg [analogy] is rather ridiculous when you think about it, but that reflects the fragility of the weaponry at the time," she said. Mrs Ackroyd, 78, who lives on a rural property near Lithgow, NSW, found the information about the rhymes through sources including University of Oxford professors, plus other texts, and has annotated the references in the book. The book includes the rhymes, Mrs Ackroyd's research about the stories behind them, and illustrations by her neighbour Nicol Reid. Mrs Ackroyd said it was interesting how people expressed themselves when there was great upheaval, and many of these rhymes were shared orally, particularly as literacy was low and retribution was high. "If you went around saying 'King Henry VIII sucks' publicly, you would probably end up in jail or with the head lopped off... so he's described in a little rhyme," she said. Mrs Ackroyd said the melodies that went with these rhymes were among the reasons they've lasted so long. She likes to share some of the rhymes with her grandchildren, aged three and one, including Baa Baa Black Sheep and Humpty Dumpty. As some rhymes have dark or violent themes, she said she wouldn't share those sections with children. But what could be done is use the rhymes as launchpads to share the stories behind them. The book is out now through Boolarong Press, RRP $29.99 Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE.
News.com.au
3 days ago
- News.com.au
A famous Aussie pub at the centre of Netflix's true crime series Last Stop Larrimah hits the market
An infamous Aussie pub at the centre of an eight-year-old outback mystery and a Netflix series that gripped the world has hit the market. The Larrimah Hotel in the Northern Territory is for sale for the first time since the popular two-part series was released in 2023. The show delved into the disappearance of Paddy Moriarty who was one of town's 12 residents and a regular at the pub when he went missing. The Irish-born 70-year-old was last seen with his red kelpie cross Kellie leaving the Pink Panther Hotel in Larrimah on December 16, 2017. Publican Steve Baldwin bought the pub from Barry Sharpe in 2018 not long after Mr Moriarty went missing. The hotel is located about 500km south of Darwin in the middle of the Northern Territory along the Stuart Highway and is a popular stopover for travellers and tourists keen to know more about the town where Mr Moriarty disappeared. Real estate agent Warren Andrews is selling the property listed for $795,00 saying, 'You have to see it to believe it'. He describes the hotel as everything you would expect and want in a 'true blue Aussie bush pub.' 'From the pink panthers, the giant draught stubble, to the resident emus and crocodiles, this pub is steeped in history and mystique,' he said. Mr Baldwin told NewsWire there was more to the pub's history than the tale about one of its most regular punters disappearing. 'The pub will be 100 years old in five years, it was created during the war by the military and played a big part,' he said. 'We're at the end of the railway line from Darwin, where a lot of troops would come from down from, then go south to Alice Springs and then to Mount Isa and end up back here on the train. 'They built an airstrip here after the bombing in Darwin. 'There were nearly 10,000 people here which is huge, now there is eight.' Mr Baldwin said three of its residents had died since Last Stop Larrimah first aired on Netflix. 'They were all geriatrics,' he said. 'According to Carl, who was in the Netflix show and lived across the road, he reckons there was no beer on tap here for about 30 years,' he said. 'There were taps in the cool room when I got here that weren't being used so we opened the place up and rebuilt the bar.' Mr Baldwin said it was hard to quantify how many visitors passed through the hotel each year but more and more people stopped to find out more about the mysterious town. He said a new gas plant in the Beetaloo Basin was due to start soon which would bring more workers to the region. The pub also comes with two crocodiles called Sneaky Sam and Agro that live out the back of the hotel and are fed by Mr Baldwin. 'We say we are selling the crocs and we'll chuck in the pub,' he said. When asked how much a crocodile was worth, Mr Baldwin replied, '$795,000.' 'I just want to slow down a bit and retire,' he said. 'It's a good opportunity for a low level entry into a good business that has lots of opportunity going forward. 'You don't often get a 100-year-old building here in the tropics, or in the Territory, or one at the centre of a Netflix series, and he still hasn't been found. 'There was a reward of $250,000 to find out what happened to Paddy Moriarty, and in the budget last week the treasurer upped it to $500,000. 'I don't know it will ever be solved, and the old publican has died. 'Fran still lives here, she's 81 years old now, she'll stand on the balcony or come in here and say, 'He's leaving, don't go missing now'.'
ABC News
30-05-2025
- ABC News
Banksy shares new artwork but location remains a mystery
World-renowned street artist Banksy has revealed his latest piece of art on social media but has left its location a mystery. He posted two still images of the artwork to his 1.2 million followers on Instagram. Fans of Banksy and online sleuths have speculated the location could be in Marseille, in France. In the piece, a lighthouse is drawn on a bland and beige coloured wall with the words "I want to be what you saw in me" written in front of it. A fake shadow looks to have been drawn on the footpath, stemming from a nearby pole which in turn gives the illusion that the lighthouse is a silhouette of the street pole. The first image is a close up of the artwork and the second shows two people walking with dogs next to the piece of art. Last year Banksy unveiled a number of artworks showing animals painted around London city centre. He began his career spray-painting buildings in Bristol, England, and has become one of the world's best-known artists. His work has sold for millions of dollars at auction, and past murals on outdoor sites have often been stolen or removed by building owners soon after going up.
