<Ul> <Li> That it is a religious allegory of Catholicism, with Mary being Mary, the mother of Jesus, bells representing the sanctus bells, the cockleshells the badges of the pilgrims to the shrine of Saint James in Spain (Santiago de Compostela) and pretty maids are nuns, but even within this strand of thought there are differences of opinion as to whether it is lament for the reinstatement of Catholicism or for its persecution . </Li> <Li> Another theory sees the rhyme as connected to Mary, Queen of Scots (1542--1587), with "how does your garden grow" referring to her reign over her realm, "silver bells" referring to (Catholic) cathedral bells, "cockle shells" insinuating that her husband was not faithful to her, and "pretty maids all in a row" referring to her ladies - in - waiting--"The four Maries". In Disney's The Truth About Mother Goose the "silver bells" are said to "refer to the elaborate decoration on her dresses", the "cockle shells" to her love of exotic food such as cockles, with the "pretty maids all in a row" referring to her ladies - in - waiting . </Li> <Li> Mary has also been identified with Mary I of England (1516--1558) with "How does your garden grow?" said to refer to her lack of heirs, or to the common idea that England had become a Catholic vassal or "branch" of Spain and the Habsburgs . It is also said to be a punning reference to her chief minister, Stephen Gardiner . "Quite contrary" is said to be a reference to her unsuccessful attempt to reverse ecclesiastical changes effected by her father Henry VIII and her brother Edward VI . The "pretty maids all in a row" is speculated to be a reference to miscarriages or her execution of Lady Jane Grey . "Rows and rows" is said to refer to her executions of Protestants . </Li> </Ul> <Li> That it is a religious allegory of Catholicism, with Mary being Mary, the mother of Jesus, bells representing the sanctus bells, the cockleshells the badges of the pilgrims to the shrine of Saint James in Spain (Santiago de Compostela) and pretty maids are nuns, but even within this strand of thought there are differences of opinion as to whether it is lament for the reinstatement of Catholicism or for its persecution . </Li> <Li> Another theory sees the rhyme as connected to Mary, Queen of Scots (1542--1587), with "how does your garden grow" referring to her reign over her realm, "silver bells" referring to (Catholic) cathedral bells, "cockle shells" insinuating that her husband was not faithful to her, and "pretty maids all in a row" referring to her ladies - in - waiting--"The four Maries". In Disney's The Truth About Mother Goose the "silver bells" are said to "refer to the elaborate decoration on her dresses", the "cockle shells" to her love of exotic food such as cockles, with the "pretty maids all in a row" referring to her ladies - in - waiting . </Li> <Li> Mary has also been identified with Mary I of England (1516--1558) with "How does your garden grow?" said to refer to her lack of heirs, or to the common idea that England had become a Catholic vassal or "branch" of Spain and the Habsburgs . It is also said to be a punning reference to her chief minister, Stephen Gardiner . "Quite contrary" is said to be a reference to her unsuccessful attempt to reverse ecclesiastical changes effected by her father Henry VIII and her brother Edward VI . The "pretty maids all in a row" is speculated to be a reference to miscarriages or her execution of Lady Jane Grey . "Rows and rows" is said to refer to her executions of Protestants . </Li>

Mary mary quite how does your garden grow