NURSERY rhymes have caused a stir in Colchester after questions were raised over how Humpty Dumpty came to have his great fall.

Owners of Red Lion Walk, in the town centre, have put up plaques detailing the historical information behind Old King Cole, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and Humpty Dumpty.

All are claimed by Colchester to have some link to the town.

However, the so-called historical links are by no means confirmed, with historians putting forward several different explanations.

Peter Ward, local historian, said he believes the explanations on the plaque are wrong.

He said: “It really does grate on me, I’m afraid.

“My wife Jackie spotted it first when she was walking through town and I went and had a look the next day. I don’t think the explanations are right and raised it with Red Lion Walk, who said the details had been found by a Welsh company.”

There are two explanations as to how Old King Cole is linked to Colchester.

The Red Lion Yard plaque states the rhyme was named after Cole Castle, which was another name for Balkerne Gate.

However, another theory is it refers to warrior Cole Hen, who launched a rebellion from Colchester to overthrowaRoman governor.

Questions have also arisen over Humpty Dumpty, with the plaque wording suggesting it refers to Richard III at the battle of Bosworth.

However, the more familiar version to Colchester is it referring to a cannon which fell from a wall during the Siege of Colchester in 1648.

A spokesman from Red Lion Walk said it had been a fun piece they had put up for children.

She said: “The fantastic thing about Colchester is the amount of history we have.

“Unfortunately, no one knows the real reasoning behind the nursery rhymes and we didn’t have the space to put up all the information."