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Explore the practice of laying on hands to cure the King's Evil, a form of tuberculosis. Learn about the historical connections between diseases and royal families, including the concept of the 'Royal touch'. Discover the evolution of the monarch's tradition of donating gold or silver for cramp rings with healing powers. Dive into the controversies surrounding the practice of the royal touch and the debates from medical and religious perspectives.
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Quick takeaways
- The practice of the royal touch, where monarchs would cure scrophula by touching their subjects, was prevalent in medieval and early modern Europe.
- Scrophula, an infection of the lymph nodes caused by tuberculosis, often resulted in painful and disfiguring symptoms.
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The King's Evil and the Royal Touch
The practice of the royal touch, where monarchs would cure scrophula by touching their subjects, was prevalent in medieval and early modern Europe. Edward the Confessor and later monarchs like Charles II and Queen Anne carried out this practice, attracting large crowds seeking healing. There were debates about the legitimacy and effectiveness of this touch, with some doctors and clergy skeptical. The connection between scrophula and the royal touch solidified over time, with the term 'The King's Evil' being used to describe the condition. The popularity of the royal touch eventually faded, with George I of England putting an end to it in 1714 and the French Revolution ending the practice in France.
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