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The Origins of the words
from "Doctor Foster"
The origins and history
of the poem "Doctor Foster"
are in England, this is made
clear with the reference to
the English county of
Gloucestershire (Doctor
Foster went to
Gloucester...). This was a
warning to children in
bygone days, prior to modern
roads, that what may appear
to be a shallow puddle could
in fact be much deeper!
"Doctor Foster" History
The origins of "Doctor
Foster" are reputedly lie in
English history dating back
to the Plantagenet monarchy
of the 13th century when
King Edward 1 ("Doctor
Foster") was thought to have
visited Gloucester and fell
from his horse into a large
muddy puddle! He is said to
have been so humiliated by
this experience that he
refused to ever visit
Gloucester again! King
Edward 1 (June 17, 1239 –
July 7, 1307) was a powerful
man, over six foot tall -
hence his nickname of
Longshanks. Edward built
many castle-fortresses in
Wales as part of his
strategy to conquer the
Welsh who were lead by
Llywelyn ap Gruffydd -
Edward succeeded and
Llywelyn became the the last
Prince of an independent
Wales (c.1223 – 11 December
1282). As a matter of
interest Owain Glendwr was
the last Prince of Wales, as
Owain IV of Wales (c.1354 or
1359 – c. 1416).
Our grateful thanks go to
Peter Simmons for his help
regarding the history of
Wales
- Thanks Peter! |
