In this article, you will learn the story behind a popular nursery rhyme, as well as lesser-known facts pertaining to the legend of St. Patrick. One of the most unexplainable mysteries may have also been discovered many years before popular belief.
Hadrian’s Wall
The Romans constructed a wall named Hadrian, which possessed a moat that was situated not only about the exterior of the wall, but also around the inside. This task took many days of labor to complete. Why they positioned a moat in the interior of the site has never been fully explained or deciphered. A few years after building the structure, the Romans later filled the space in.
A Very Old Soul
The nursery rhyme regarding “Old King Cole” actually has a real person attached to the childhood rhyme. His name was “Coel” and he was a British prince of the 4th century. It is believed that this man was the father of St. Helen, who gave birth to the Roman emperor, Constantine. Coel loved music, which is probably why the rhyme makes mention of three fiddlers.
What is Under King’s Cross Station?
Under the number 10 platform at King’s Cross Station, it is thought that the final resting place of Queen Boadicea can be found.
No More Slaves!
During his youth, St. Patrick was a slave in Ireland, which is probably why he became the first well-known figure in history to voice his opinions against the act of slavery.
A Historical Misconception
Speaking of St. Patrick (ca. 385-461), the man is not Irish, as many folks are led to believe. He was actually British and may have possibly lived in what is modern-day Wales. The man never stepped foot in Ireland until Irish raiders kidnapped him. Once he was able to escape, he would later become a priest and then a bishop. When he returned to Ireland, he was a missionary. Since he was rather successful in converting the Irish, the people of Ireland gave him the title of patron saint.
Good Ol Nessie
The legend associated with the infamous Loch Ness Monster (also known as Nessie) actually began around 565 when St. Columba was convince that he saw a dragon-like creature pose harm to a traveler in the area.
The Invention of the Comb
The item that keeps hair strands untangled dates back to Scandinavian days , a fixture since about 8,000 BC. There is a theory that the comb was created at different times throughout the majority of early cultures.
Mistaken Identity
In May of 1983, workers digging in a peat bog located in Macclesfield (in Cheshire, England) found the skull of a woman. The local police were convinced that a man by the name of Peter Reyn-Bardt, who was 57 at the time, had killed his wife named Malika, who was last seen in 1960. With this new evidence, police believed that they had finally found the remains of his wife and could convict him of murder. A month before the trial was due to begin, scientists in Oxford discovered that the skull was that of a woman who had passed away during the 3rd century AD. Even though they found out this new piece of information, Reyn-Bardt was found guilty of murder. He was later sentenced to life imprisonment. It turns out that he thought they had found the body of his wife and confessed to the crime.