What was the real “plum” from the historical source? Read below pls...

Question

Read below pls...

Little Jack Horner Story

Little Jack Horner sat in the corner

Eating his Christmas pie,

He put in his thumb and pulled out a plum

And said "What a good boy am I!"

16th Century History origin of the Little Jack Horner story?

Little Jack Horner was reputed to have been the Steward to Richard Whiting (1461 - 1539) the Bishop of Glastonbury. The Steward had an important role and was responsible for managing the household, collecting taxes and keeping accounts.

The Bribe

It is rumoured that the Bishop tried to bribe the King. He sent his Steward, Richard Whiting, with a gift of twelve title deeds to various English manorial estates. The deeds were said to have been secreted in a pie (valuables were often hidden in this bizarre fashion to thwart thieves). Whiting (Little Jack Horner) realised that the bribe would do no good and was said to have stolen the deeds to the manor of Mells (it being the real 'plum' of the twelve manors).

Answer 1

Hello Carmilla,

Thanks for your question. Based on the two descriptions you provided alongside the poem, the answer lies in the historical context of the "Little Jack Horner Story." As explained in the section titled, "The Bribe," the title deeds were hidden in a pie to "thwart thieves." When Little Jack Horner realizes the bribe "would do no good," he goes on to "put in his thumb" to pull out the "plum" which is the deed for the manor of Mells, the most valuable of the twelve manors. So, the real 'plum' of the poem is, according to the historical origins of the Little Jack Horner Story, the title deeds for the manor of Mells.

I hope this helps! Paying close attention to the notes provided is key when analyzing a poem as dated as this one.

-Aaron W.