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3 unusual facts about Ride a cock horse to Banbury Cross


Ride a cock horse to Banbury Cross

The nursery rhyme was very popular before the twentieth century, it was sung every day by William Ewart Gladstone to his children as they had "rides on his foot, slung over his knee".

Despite not being present or significantly different in many early versions, the fine lady has been associated with Queen Elizabeth I, Lady Godiva, and Celia Fiennes, whose brother was William Fiennes, 3rd Viscount Saye and Sele (c. 1641-1698) of Broughton Castle, Banbury, on the grounds that the line should be 'To see a Fiennes lady'.

Roger Daltrey of The Who released a solo album, Ride a Rock Horse, the cover of which featured the singer as a white centaur.



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