Origin of Jack and Jill and little Jack Horner
Archive - Originally posted on "The Horse's Mouth" - 2007-03-25 08:53:28 - Graham EllisHave you come across the nursery rhymes "Jack and Jill went up the Hill" and "Little Jack Horner sat in the Corner"? Both of them originate from stories and local characters just a few miles from where we live, in the Somerset villages of Mells and Kilmersdon - Villages between the ex-coal town of Radstock and Frome.
Kilmersdon has made a great deal of its connection with Jack and Jill, with a well signposted path to the Hill, and with the rhyme set in stones as you climb the hill. The well at the top, set in the school grounds, looks back over the hill and interpretation boards tell you what's known of the history of the story. And I'm glad to report that the hill is now tarmaced, so there's little danger of any modern day Jacks and Jills meeting with similar fatal accidents.
By contrast, Mells has just a single building to commemorate Jack (really Mark) Horner. Perhaps we was a bit of a 'Jack the lad' - that's why they think he's called Jack - and the village isn't too sure if it likes the association and the visitors that more publicity might bring in. It's certainly a quiet and sleepy little place.
Correction - it may be that "Jack Horner" was John Horner (Sir John Horner, 28th December 1842 -31st March 1927) who is buried in the churchyard. Mark was his short-lived son ....