Mary, Mary Quite Contrary

Panel depicting Mary, Mary Quite Contrary., about 1900. Museum no. C.112-1977 (click image for larger version)

'Mary, Mary, quite contrary,
How does your garden grow?
With silver bells and cockle shells
And pretty maids all in a row.'

Although there is no proof that this rhyme was in use before the 18th century, many people believe it is about Mary, Queen of Scots (1542-1587). The ‘pretty maids’ might refer to the four ladies in waiting, all called Mary and known as ‘The Queen’s Maries’ that accompanied her, and the ‘bells’ and ‘shells’ might refer to the decoration of her dress.

It is possible that the rhyme may deal with Queen Mary I (1516-1558), otherwise known as ‘Bloody Mary’ for her persecution for Catholics. ‘Silver bells’ and ‘cockle shells’ may refer, in this case, to instruments used in torture and ‘maids’, which were spiked structures which pierced and killed people.

A further explanation for the rhyme is that it has religious meaning: the ‘silver bells’ refer to bells rung to accompany church services, the cockleshells represent the badges worn by religious pilgrims and the ‘pretty maids’ are in fact nuns.