More of that Scrofula

I am sure it was a terrible disease and I should not be so amused at references to it in novels but I cannot help myself. In Robert Harris' novel Lustrum, the tribune Publius Vatinius was called the ugliest man in Rome. "He had contracted scrofula as a boy, and his face and neck were covered in pendulous purplish-blue lumps." (pg 360) After looking at Cicero's correspondance to Atticus about Vatinius, I have to say that Harris chose scrofula as his disfigurement because Vatinius had some mark and malformed legs that prevented him from being chosen as an auger but scrofula is not mentioned by anyone. Not Tacitus, or Pliny, Caesar, Livy, Plutarch, Dio Cassus or anyone else who mentions Vatinius' name. However, while looking, I had a nice long look at the Perseus site which,

"The Perseus Project at Tufts University is the foremost Digital Library for the classical world, if not for the Humanities in general. In its collection of Greek and Roman materials, readers will find many of the canonical texts read today. The Greek collection approaches 8 million words and the Latin collection currently has 5.5 million. In addition, many English language dictionaries, other reference works, translations, and commentaries are included, so that anyone with an internet connection has access to the equivalent of a respectable College Classics library. The Perseus site is further enriched by intricate linking mechanisms among texts (resulting in more than 30 million links)."

It is a very good site for looking up references. http://perseus.uchicago.edu/

Trifels

When Richard I was returning to England from the Crusades, he was delayed en route, having been captured by Duke Leopold and held prisoner for a couple of years by Holy Roman Emperor for ransom. Just yesterday, I spotted the name of one of the castles where he was held - Trifels in Germany. I have been there. He spent three weeks at Trifels in 1193. At the age of six, I was dangled over the cliffs, that the castle is perched on, by my uncle who thought it would be amusing to make my mother scream. Trifels is German for 'three cliffs'.

I do not remember much about the castle beyond that since I snuck off to the pub with my father and missed the tour of the tower. Of course at six, I would not have known or cared who Richard I was but, if someone would have mentioned Robin Hood, I might have gotten excited. Anyhow, here is a photo of the area I was dangled over. It is the farthest part with the chain link fence and I have to wonder if anyone ever dangled Richard I over that edge. I am sure he would have found it exhilarating. I was fortunate to have the presence of mind not to struggle in my uncle's arms or I might not have been here to write this blog for you.

Some worthwhile links: more photos and some info.

I Have Ideas

I really do have some ideas for blog entries. Maybe it is summer time or maybe I am just a slob, but I just don't feel like writing one at the moment. I'll be back.

Scrofula Rears Its Ugly Head

I was reading Susan Townsend's novel Queen Camilla last night. I have been a big fan of her Adrian Mole novels. As usual, her novel is full of silliness and humor and on page 58 she has Lawrence Krill pen the following letter to Prince Charles:

"Sire,

I beg your indulgence, my liege, to have recognizance of my advice to thee. I have it in my gift to grant to you possession of a most wondrous particular: The Lost Crown of England. May my vitals be torn from my living belly if this be not true.

Write to me, do not tarry, my liege. All I ask as a reward is that you touch my scrofulous and most foul body to cure me of the King's Evil. 'Tis this unholy affliction that doth condemn me to endure such cruel incarceration in this most cursed place: The Asylum of Rampton.

May the Almighty anoint thee with blessings.

I am, sire, but a humble and unworthy petitioner,

Lawrence Krill"

The spirit of the Middle Ages lives on.