Llanthony Secunda Priory

Llanthony Secunda Priory in Gloucester is connected to one of the supposed origins of the popular nursery rhyme, Humpty Dumpty:

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.

All the king's horses and all the king's men

Couldn't put Humpty together again.

Although these words were first recorded in the 1790s, the affairs of August and September, 1643, may be alluded to in this great fall. King Charles I lay siege to the city of Gloucester, occupying the former monastic site across the river. It is said that he had placed an especially large and formidable cannon on the old walls of Llanthony Secunda with which to pound the Parliamentarian city into submission. The large cannon was too big and misfired, falling off the wall and ending its career, much to the relief of the folk expecting to receive its compliments. Although other explanations for the rhyme are available, I rather like this one.

Fully armed and taking careful aim at the Christian are the combined forces and firepower of the world, the flesh and the devil. Yet each shall fail, despite the pounding and blasts they successfully give, each and every hour and day. The battle is bruising but the war is already won.

The Lord hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the Lord, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more. Zephaniah 3:15

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