3. There are a number of historical interpretations of “Jack Sprat.” One theory claims that the rhyme refers to King Charles I (1625 – 1649) and his queen, Henrietta Maria (1609 – 1669). When Charles declared war on Spain, the parliament “left him lean,” failing to fund his cause. In result, the bitter King implemented an illegal war tax without Parliament’s consent “to get some fat.” Another analysis connects the rhyme to Richard I, also known as Richard the Lionheart (1157 – 1199), and his younger brother King John (1166 – 1216). John was married to Joan, the greedy daughter of the Earl of Gloucester (“Joan ate all the fat”). When Richard was taken for ransom by Duke Leopold, John had to leave the country destitute in order to raise the money. Between John's desperation and Joan's greed, “they picked the platter clean”.