King Henry VIII of England appeared in portraits as a commanding and powerful Tudor monarch, but behind his lavish clothing he suffered from a grim condition in his later years, according to hamuesgyemant.hu. The king had open ulcers on his legs that gave off the smell of rotting flesh, and his courtiers worked to cover the odor with strong perfumes.
In January 1536, a 44 year old Henry fell from his horse during a jousting tournament and the horse landed on top of him. He lay unconscious for two hours, and although he eventually recovered, the effects of the accident stayed with him for the rest of his life.
His leg had already suffered from ulcers and swelling, and after the accident the ulcers never fully healed again. They became inflamed, discharged fluid and produced a strong smell, forcing his courtiers to deal with the signs of his illness every day.
Medicine of the era
Many doctors of the time interpreted discharge during healing as a sign that harmful substances were leaving the body, so a healing wound could seem dangerous, out of fear the illness would return inside. The state of the king's leg was therefore partly explained by the medical beliefs of the period.
Even so, the smell had to be dealt with. Henry's chambers were filled with fresh herbs, fragrant flower petals and spices. His gloves, clothing and bedding were perfumed, and he carried an ornately decorated perfume box containing a scented mix of musk, ambergris, rose water and other costly fragrances.
More than vanity
Many people at the time believed disease spread through foul, corrupted air, so strong, pleasant scents were seen as a form of protection. Perfume masked the king's body odor and, in the view of his contemporaries, also guarded against infection, which is why the Tudor court surrounded Henry with a cloud of perfume.
Over time the monarch's body became less and less cooperative. His weight increased significantly, walking became painful, and he needed help climbing stairs and moving through the palace. Servants lifted him, dressed him and washed him, while others bandaged his wounds, changed his soiled clothing and filled his rooms with fragrance. This closeness gave them considerable influence, and the king's most trusted servants stayed by his side even when lords and bishops were not yet allowed into the room.
By the time courtiers entered his chambers, the sick man had once again become the king who commanded respect, dressed in fresh linen, furs and jewels.
