Why the English King Was Surrounded by Perfumes – The Sad Reason

The article recounts the final years of King Henry VIII of England, who suffered from chronic leg ulcers that emitted a foul odor. His courtiers tried to mask the stench with incense and perfumes. The cause was a fall from a horse during a tournament in January 1536, after which the wounds never healed. The article also describes 16th-century medical beliefs and the influence servants had over the monarch.

The article recounts the final years of King Henry VIII of England, who suffered from chronic, non-healing leg ulcers that emitted a heavy odor. The cause was a fall from a horse during a jousting tournament in January 1536, after which the wounds turned into open, bleeding ulcers. His courtiers tried to mask the stench with incense, herbs, and perfumes. The article also describes 16th-century medical beliefs, according to which discharge from wounds was considered beneficial, and fragrances were used as protection against infection. The king's physical condition deteriorated; he gained weight and needed the help of servants, which gave them influence at court. Despite this, he appeared before the nobility as a majestic ruler.