What Was Really Wrong with Henry VIII’s Leg? A Modern Medical Look

[@Mrsadams1]

0:50 And also interesting to think about how different things would've been if modern medicine could have healed Arthur. I agree though that modern medicine has its limitations. One of my father's best friends died from an infection that set in after having knee surgery. So we still have our limitations.

[@dffndjdjd]

Henry had his accident a few months before he sent his second wife, Anne Boleyn, to the block. Though it’s possible his near death experience and the reactions of various courtiers to it in real time did have some affect on those proceedings, Henry was already a well developed narcissist by this point in his life. Already having had numerous affairs, and several bastards, if only the first male was ever acknowledged. Already believed himself an expert in virtually every subject. Already divorced from his first wife of two decades by literally subverting the power of the papacy in regards to church authority in England. And importantly already having sent numerous men to the block for refusing to take the oath of supremacy. These included his own bishop as well as his scholarly mentor, basically the man who educated him and that Henry once respected above all his subjects. I think his turn to despotism was a combination of factors. It was his fear of not leaving a male heir, the church falling to back him up and let him out of his marriage, his new marriage failing to give him male children, powerful men and mentors in his life refusing to acknowledge his authority, then the rebellion, the pilgrimage of grace. As a narcissist, looking inward to himself or empathizing was not possible, so he created narratives to explain it all away.

[@Mrsadams1]

There is also some pretty compelling cases of untreated concussions creating massive rage and anger issues. If he was knocked out for two hours, I would imagine that would also be a play here.

[@timelordvictorious]

Think that theory has been debunked .he was not out that long also he was an angry sadistic young man before he was in the jousting accident

[@elainerinne3468]

Happy New Year ! Thank you for all that you do!

[@SusanKerr-fz6mi]

Happy New Year Heather! Love your podcasts. How is Salsa? Can we have updates??

[@MrAntonBerg]

Strangely I Saw and english program years ago where Henrys armour was on display, and a guide Said that most men couldnt fit the leg armour because Henry had very small calves.

[@saracontois1492]

Splinter of dead bone

[@greenman6141]

Medicine was an Art not a Science. ie It was total bollocks.

[@geraldaird9390]

I don't think leech therapy had been used by then, history cries out for science.

[@christinestevenson4304]

Leeching started in the middle ages, but didn't become popular in England until I think it was the 17th centuries.

[@ryanindypa]

He could have been diabetic and these were diabetic sores.

[@codename495]

Ulcerated varicose veins made worse by tight garters to show off his skinny calves.

[@Sabrinajaine]

Glad I didn't eat before watching this! Also what do you Americans have against the 'h' in herb? ;)

[@wednesdayschild3627]

If you go back to Latin there is no h in erb. Erba maybe?

[@CrystalClearskies-cb9ji]

We don’t speak Latin

[@codename495]

@@CrystalClearskies-cb9jiwe don’t speak German either, yet here we are using both Germanic and Latin words and pronunciations.

[@hgc5293]

😂

[@bookmouse2719]

Thank you....well, no one can go back in time to give him anti biotics and compression socks. 😼

[@bgm3460]

He also could have siphilis

[@AnOldFashionedWoman]

That was debunked.

[@jenniferstone2975]

Naw. Probably osteomyelitis.