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According to the East Anglia Tourist Board in England, Humpty Dumpty was a powerful cannon during the English Civil War. It was mounted on top of the St Mary's at the Wall Church in Colchester defending the city against siege in the summer of 1648. Although Colchester was a Parliamentarian ("Roundhead") stronghold, the church tower was hit by the Royalists ("Cavaliers") fire blowing the top off the tower, sending "Humpty" tumbling to the ground. Naturally the King's men (the infantry) and the King's horses (the cavalry troops) tried to mend "him" but in vain. An extended version of the rhyme gives additional verses, including the following:

In Sixteen Hundred and Forty-Eight

When England suffered the pains of state

The Roundheads lay seige to Colchester town

Where the King's men still fought for the crown

There One-Eyed Thompson stood on the wall

A gunner of deadliest aim

From St. Mary's Tower his cannon he fired

Humpty-Dumpty was its name...