Who is the fine lady at Banbury Cross?

The nursery rhyme, ‘Ride a Cock Horse’, has made Banbury one of the best-known towns in England. It has been suggested that the ‘Fine Lady’ of the nursery rhyme may have been Lady Godiva, wife of Leofric of Coventry, famous for her ride, allegedly naked, through that city some 900 years ago.

What is a Coch horse?

A coach is a large closed four-wheeled passenger-carrying vehicle or carriage usually drawn by two or more horses usually controlled by a coachman, a postilion, or occasionally both. A coach has doors in its sides and a front and a back seat inside. The driver has a seat in front raised up high to give good vision.

What is Banbury Cross famous for?

The catchy little rhyme has made Banbury famous throughout the English speaking world and Banbury Cross a tourist attraction. But the Cross that stands in the centre of Banbury has nothing to do with the rhyme. The cross now standing was erected in 1859 to commemorate the marriage of Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter.

What does rings on her fingers and bells on her toes mean?

1. Eagerly or excitedly. The phrase is sometimes extended to “with bells on (one’s) toes,” which alludes to a nursery rhyme.

Who rode a white horse to Banbury Cross?

“Ride a cockhorse to Banbury Cross,” Mother Goose is often cited as the author of hundreds of children’s stories that have been passed down through oral tradition and published over centuries. Various chants, songs, and even games have been attributed to her, but she is most recognized for her nursery rhymes,

What does a fine lady mean?

A woman of refined or decorous manners and character; (also) a fashionable woman. Also (ironic or depreciative): a woman who dresses ostentatiously, affects manners viewed as being above her social rank or position, or is preoccupied with her appearance.

What is the driver of a coach called?

A coachman is a man whose business it is to drive a coach or carriage, a horse-drawn vehicle designed for the conveyance of passengers. A coachman has also been called a coachee, coachy or whip.

Are coach and carriage the same?

The difference between Carriage and Coach. When used as nouns, carriage means the act of conveying, whereas coach means a wheeled vehicle, generally drawn by horse power. Coach is also verb with the meaning: to train. A wheeled vehicle, generally drawn by horse power.

What does it mean to ride coach?

1. To train or tutor or to act as a trainer or tutor. 2. To transport by or ride in a coach.

Who went to Banbury Cross?

The words of the Banbury Cross nursery rhyme are often attributed to Queen Elizabeth I of England (the fine lady) who travelled to Banbury to see a huge stone cross which had just been erected. The words ‘With rings on her fingers’ obviously relates to the fine jewellery which would be worn by a Queen.

Where is the original Banbury Cross?

The White Cross lay on the western boundary line of the old town borough, at what is now the corner of West Bar Street and Beargarden Road. It was first mentioned in 1554 but little is known about it. In the late 16th century Banbury’s inhabitants were recorded as being “far gone in Puritanism”.

Why do we say with bells on?

This phrase is frequently used in reply to a party invitation and the common format in that case is to indicate one’s enthusiasm with ‘I’ll be there with bells on!’. The phrase originated in the late 19th/early 20th centuries and most of the early citations of it suggest a US origin.

What does with bells on mean?

Ready to celebrate, eagerly, as in Of course I’ll come; I’ll be there with bells on. This metaphoric expression alludes to decorating oneself or one’s clothing with little bells for some special performance or occasion.

What does a ring on the middle right finger mean?

The middle finger Arguably the most noticeable of the fingers, rings worn on this finger are highly noticeable and can be said to symbolise power, balance and stability. Often the largest finger on the hand, rings worn on this finger can easily get caught and damaged, so, for this reason, we’d recommend slim bands.