The True Meaning of Little Jack Horner

Little Jack Horner, the true story

The true meaning of Little Jack Horner.

Little Jack Horner sat in the corner

Probably not what you would expect for a nursery rhyme.

Eating his Christmas pie,
He put in his thumb and pulled out a plum
And said "What a good boy am I!"

The Nursery Rhyme of Little Jack Horner

Was Jack Horner a real person?

On the surface we never really expect any nursery rhyme character to exist but remarkably Little Jack Horner actually did exist, and as opposed to other nursery rhymes he was a real person and what's more he really did 'Pull out a plum', even the pie was real, but whether he was a good boy or not, the answer I will leave for you to decide.

During his reign King Henry VIII ordered Thomas Cromwell to lead his men and demolish all monasteries in England because the King had broken away from the Catholic Church. Cromwell was tasked not only to pull down all catholic establishments but to plunder their chattels, hand over all the gold, silver and land to Henry VIII. Monasteries were a rich source of wealth in terms of cash and goods.

Today, we know Glastonbury for the famous rock concerts and festivals but in Henry's day it was a Benedictine Monastery. the largest and wealthiest Abbey in his Kingdom.

Who was Little Jack Horner?

Jack Horner Esquire was Steward to The Bishop of Glastonbury, Richard Whiting 1461 – 1539. The job of Steward was an executive position, very few men would be trusted to do this job. Jack Horner was privileged to run the household of the Bishop, administer the accounts of the Abbey and collect rents, taxes and fees from tenants, peasants and others connected within the manor of Glastonbury.

This vast estate had escaped King Henry VIII's army of demolition experts and pillagers but knowing that it was the very last religious property remaining in Somerset he had to accept that his days were numbered and he needed to act fast,it was only a matter of time before his entire livelihood would be harshly taken away.

He knew Henry VIII didn't mind a bribe or two so the Bishop took the decision to take full advantage of the shady side of King Henry. He made a plan and confided in one man that he could really trust, Jack Horner.

He tasked Horner with delivering a very special gift to the king, it was to be a very large top quality pie filled with nothing less than twelve title deeds relating to an assortment of English manorial estates owned that were owned by the Bishop.

Why use a pie to hide the documents?

All types of thieves and vagabonds roamed the streets of England. There was no police force and 'thief takers' were generally corrupt. It was all too common for travellers not only to be cautious but to be very creative in hiding their valuable goods in order they can thwart robbers. Personally I think it is questionable that a pie would really divert the attention of starving criminals, a tasty pie would be an added bonus!

However, the story goes that a pies was used to conceal the booty.

Jack Horner was no fool and did not believe that King Henry would even dream of accepting twelve title deeds for small properties instead of one the entire Abbey and all that land including those twelve other properties. There was also a threat that King Henry could turn on the messenger in revenge for the shear audacity.

Jack had to think very fast, he could not refuse do undertake the errand, nor could he argue with the Bishop. In Jack's mind the solution was obvious, he would simply steal the title deeds of the manor of Mells. It was prime real estate and certainly would be considered to be the real 'plum' out of those twelve other manors. It was the deeds to the property and land that was secreted in the plum pie.

King Henry did reject the pie, just as Jack Horner predicted but for self preservation he had to protect himself so he chose to hand over The Bishop to Henry VIII, he was subsequently arrested by the King's men, charged and convicted of treason, the crime he was accused of committing was that he acted against the crown by remaining loyal to Rome.

What Happened to Jack Horner?

Little Jack Horner was very lucky indeed and appointed as one of the jury that sat in the trial of The Bishop of Glastonbury. He was to become one of the 'twelve good men and true' and he sat on the jury during the trial of Bishop Whiting who was found guilty and sentenced to death.

It was not a quick execution by any means, he was hung, drawn and quartered on Glastonbury Tor. This kind of torture was reserved for traitors.

Horner walked away a free man and retained his deeds, he then legally owned the property and indeed moved into the Manor of Mells it remained in the Horner family right up until the 20th century,

What was to happen to Glastonbury Abbey? King Henry sent his men to destroy it.

The Monasteries That King Henry VIII Destroyed

Was Jack Horner a naughty boy?

Comments

Marcy Louis Suliman on October 19, 2015:

Cool thanks it helped my to make my homework once more thanks so much

kelleyward on February 09, 2012:

Very interesting and creative way to present this story. I found this to be interesting and beautiful. Can't wait to share it with others!

john horner on November 15, 2011:

thanks for the story !!!