Real meaning of Jack and Jill

There are several speculations as to the real meaning behind the nursery rhyme Jack & Jill.

Although the original comprised the following simple four lines

 A later verse was added seeming to provide a more happy ending.

This verse was modified to;

Then came yet another couple of verses but rarely used.

King Charles I tried to increase the taxes on liquid measures in his favour but Parliament voted against the tax reform. However, not being undermined by parliament Charles ordered a mandate that the volume of a 'Jack', which was ½ pint be reduced whilst the tax remained the same.

So although parliament voted against a tax increase, as far as King Charles was concerned they didn't vote against the reduction of the measure of a Jack, so 'Jack fell down and broke his crown and Jill came tumbling after'. A 'Gill' is ¼ pint, when the Jack fell down, the Gill followed.

Even today, pint glasses in the UK have a half pint mark with the crown etched above it.

The ale was often watered down and there is speculation that the line "fetch a pail of water" related to this element.