The Old Mother Hubbard referred to in this rhyme’s words allude to the famous Cardinal Wolsey. Cardinal Thomas Wolsey was the most important statesman and churchman of the Tudor history period in 16th century England.

Cardinal Wolsey proved to be a faithful servant but displeased the King, Henry VIII, by failing to facilitate the King’s divorce from Queen Catherine of Aragon who had been his queen of many years.

Catherine of Aragon was the youngest surviving daughter of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain. Not only was divorcing her dangerous, in terms of hurting international relations, but Catherine had been an exemplary queen in every respect but one: she had not borne him a male heir to be the next King. It appeared that England was facing rough times, and they desperately needed a strong successor to Henry VIII.

She was older than Henry VIII, and had a stillbirth, then a daughter, Mary. But at 42, she was no longer able to bear children, and Anne Boleyn looked very promising. And she had to be his legitimate wife, for a bastard could not rightfully claim the throne.

In the Old Mother Hubbard song King Henry was the “doggie” and the “bone” refers to the divorce (and not money as many believe)

The cupboard relates to the Catholic Church. Since Charles V, the Holy Roman Emporer, was Catherine’s nephew, no divorce was forthcoming – so the Church of England was formed which *would* grant the divorce, and Old Mother Hubbard – Cardinal Wolsey – met his demise.

Henry VIII ended up with six wives, but in the end, no son. As it turned out, though, his daughter Mary I was the heir that England needed. She’s considered to be one of the greatest rulers England has ever had.

Nursery Rhyme & History

Origins of Old Mother Hubbard lyrics in British history

The Old Mother Hubbard referred to in this rhyme’s words allude to the famous Cardinal Wolsey. Cardinal Thomas Wolsey was the most important statesman and churchman of the Tudor history period in 16th century England. Cardinal Wolsey proved to be a faithful servant but displeased the King, Henry VIII, by failing to facilitate the King’s divorce from Queen Katherine of Aragon who had been his queen of many years. The reason for seeking the divorce and hence the creation of the Old Mother Hubbard poem was to enable him to marry Anne Boleyn with whom he was passionately in love. In the Old Mother Hubbard song King Henry was the “doggie” and the “bone” refers to the divorce (and not money as many believe) The cupboard relates to the Catholic Church although the subsequent divorce arranged by Thomas Cramner resulted in the break with Rome and the formation of the English Protestant church and the demise of Old Mother Hubbard – Cardinal Wolsey. Another rhyme reputedly relates to Cardinal Wolsey Little Boy Blue

Old Mother Hubbard poem :

Old Mother Hubbard

Went to the cupboard

To get her poor doggie a bone,

When she got there

The cupboard was bare

So the poor little doggie had none

RE:
What is the real meaning of the old nursery rhyme, "old mother hubbard"?
I have to do a project, and I would really love some help!

Old Mother Hubbard Old Mother Hubbard went to the cupboard, To fetch her poor dog a bone. But when she got there, her cupboard was bare, And so the poor dog had none. She went to the baker’s to buy him some bread; When she got back, the dog was dead. She went to the undertaker’s to buy him a coffin; When she got back, the dog was a-laughing. She took him a clean dish to get him some tripe; When she came back, he was smoking a pipe. She went to the hatter’s to buy him a hat; When she came back, he was feeding the cat. She went to the barber’s to buy him a wig; When she came back, he was dancing a jig. She went to the fruiterer’s to buy him some fruit; When she came back, he was playing the flute. She went to the tailor’s to buy him a coat; When she came back, he was riding a goat. She went to the cobbler’s to buy him some shoes; When she came back, he was reading the news. She went to the seamstress to buy him some linen; When she came back, the dog was a-spinning. She went to the hosier’s to buy him some hose; When she came back, he was dressed in his clothes. The dame made a curtsy, the dog made a bow; The dame said, “Your servant,” the dog said, “Bow-wow.”

go to google or yahoo or whatever and plug in

“old nursery rhyme old mother hubbard”

you’ll get all sorts of great references and will be doing your own homework….