Little Jack Horner

"Little Jack Horner" first appeared in print in 1725 in Henry Carey's ballad "Namby Pamby," though the rhyme is believed to be much older.

The Thomas Horner Theory

The most popular legend connects the rhyme to Thomas Horner, a steward to Richard Whiting, the last Abbot of Glastonbury during the reign of King Henry VIII. According to this theory, the abbot sent Horner to London with a Christmas pie containing the deeds to twelve manor estates, intended as a bribe to appease the king during the Dissolution of the Monasteries.

Legend has it that Horner "put in his thumb" and extracted the deed to the Manor of Mells in Somerset for himself. The Horner family did indeed acquire Mells Manor around this time, though descendants have disputed this story, claiming the property was purchased legitimately.

Historical Context

The rhyme emerged during a turbulent period in English history when Henry VIII was seizing Catholic Church properties. The "plum" in the rhyme may represent a valuable prize—the manor deed—rather than an actual fruit.

The Pie as a Hiding Place

During this era, it was common practice to hide valuable documents inside food items when traveling, as pies would be less likely to be searched by thieves or officials. This adds credibility to the story of deeds being transported in a Christmas pie.

Whether the tale is true or simply a colorful legend attached to a simple children's rhyme remains debated by historians. The Horner family's connection to Mells Manor, however, is documented fact.