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| King Richard III |
In February of this year the discovery of the body of King
Richard III was confirmed. The skeleton (minus the feet) was found beneath an
English car park. DNA tests using DNA from three direct descendants convinced British
scientists beyond reasonable doubt that the skeleton was that of King Richard
who was killed at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485.
Examination of the skeleton revealed that Richard met a
violent death. Evidence of ten wounds was discovered, most likely inflicted at
or around the time of death. His body was also abused after death.
Richard wasn’t a hunchback as tradition might have us
believe. Instead the skeleton revealed that the King suffered from severe scoliosis,
which probably developed when he was an adolescent. Scoliosis is painful, and
the severity of King Richard’s affliction meant he was in pain all the time.
Other treatments for scoliosis were just as archaic, as well as painful. One was traction, which used the same principle as the “rack” that was used as an implement of torture. Rope was tied under a patient’s armpits and around his legs, then the ropes were pulled at either end to stretch the spine.
Other treatments might have involved messages in Turkish baths and
herbal applications. Long term care might have included the patient wearing a
long piece of wood or metal to straighten their spine.
The discovery of his skeleton revealed that King Richard III suffered pain in life and died a horrific death. We know about his physical stature. But who was he, really? Some paint
him as a villain who stole the crown and murdered his young nephews. He
was one of Shakespeare’s blackest villains. Others say
he might have done those things, but overall he was a good, conscientious guy. But since much of Richard's life is buried in time, we will never know truth.
Wow, I had no idea! It is so interesting to learn things from history like this. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI have to say that the picture makes me cringe! I have scoliosis and wore a big metal back brace for 2 years in high school to keep my back from looking like that! So thankful for modern medicine...would have to have to endure the rack! lol
This was a very fascinating read, thanks for sharing. My brother has been receiving treatment for scoliosis and I have been doing some research on what it really is. He has to wear a back brace pretty much all of the time, which looks really uncomfortable.
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