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The Death of Kings: A Medical History of the Kings and Queens of England Paperback – December 31, 2000
Purchase options and add-ons
- Print length264 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherAbson Books
- Publication dateDecember 31, 2000
- Dimensions5.24 x 0.75 x 7.8 inches
- ISBN-109780902920996
- ISBN-13978-0902920996
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Product details
- ASIN : 0902920995
- Publisher : Abson Books; First Edition (December 31, 2000)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 264 pages
- ISBN-10 : 9780902920996
- ISBN-13 : 978-0902920996
- Item Weight : 12 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.24 x 0.75 x 7.8 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,504,127 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #453 in Medical History & Records (Books)
- #2,483 in England History
- #5,679 in Medical Diseases (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
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As an example, the image of Henry VIII conjures up a bully-a domineering and heartless ruler. But considering that Henry was probably dealing with some very serious health issues that affected him not only physically but also psychologically, one begins to understand the relatively swift descent of this monarch from a budding Renaissance prince to a feared sovereign.
The author also presents a more sympathetic view of medical men of ages past, before the benefit of modern scientific discoveries and identification of many illnesses. Though he admits there were many "quacks", Dr. Brewer also educates the reader regarding some astute individuals who were very sincere in their attempts to understand and help their patients. We would not have the medical knowledge of today if it hadn't been for the efforts of these pioneering medical men, who are all too often ridiculed for holding the often very erroneous views of illnesses so prevalent at the time that they lived.
Anyone interested in British history and/or the history of medicine will enjoy this book. The author has reached out across the centuries and provided an honest and interesting look at not only the monarchs and their maladies, but the medical response to their often puzzling and deadly ailments, both physical and mental. Very highly recommended.
The author has an easy writing style which makes the chapters fly by. He is a physician by trade so he draws on the research of modern medicine. I wish he would consider future endeavors on the deaths of other historical figures.
Some diagnoses (such as an arrow in the back) are easy but others, as in the case of Henry VIII, are a combination of maladies and disorders which Dr. Brewer untangles in very readable prose for the layman. There is some speculation - as in the rumors of Elizabeth I actually having a child - but they are afforded only so much as nonprovable supposition deserves. Very interesting book and highly recommended.
When reading this book, you have to take into consideration:
1. accurate diagnosis of most medical conditions was almost impossible until about 75-100 years ago
2. the precise cause of death may be impossible to obtain without a detailed necropsy, and right now, there's really nothing left of these people to examine
Appendix 1 of the book contains the probable causes of death of England's kings and queens in a very abbreviated fashion. If you're not a doctor or a medical student, chances are that this won't be very informative because it's written in medical terms. Appendix 2 contains descriptions and locations of the royal tombs.
Historically, there are different diseases than we have now - childbirth fever, smallpox, measles, diptheria, tuberculosis, black plague, and typhoid all ran rampant, as did syphilis. This needs to be taken into consideration as well when reading through the book, understanding that back in the day, they didn't have emergency rooms and antibiotics. I also think it's necessary to read this book in small doses. It's more enjoyable and much less intense if you read it that way. Trying to read it in large chunks can be very overwhelming.
Some noted histories:
- William I, who ruptured his bowels or bladder on his saddle horn.
- Henry I, who ate himself to death.
- Edward II was murdered by having a red hot poker shoved in his rectum.
- Henry IV, who died from an overwhelming infection from a severe skin condition.
- Richard III was the only English king to die in battle.
- Henry VIII likely had Cushing's Disease.
- Oliver Cromwell, who died from an infection following a kidney stone.
- James I and II both died from complications of syphilis.
- Anne, one of the few female monarchs, had lupus.


