The Madness of Mary, Queen of Scots
Submitted by Milica on Thu, 2003-02-06 22:03
Guardian Unlimited: Historians now believe that Mary, Queen of Scots may have been afflicted with
the same disease responsible for the madness of King George III.
In an article in the Guardian, Gerard Seenan reports that Mary, Queen of
Scots may have had porphyria, an accute illness that affects the nervous system
and causes depression, Hallucinations and paranoia. The disease is hereditary.
Historical records show evidence of several bouts of illness suffered by the queen throughout her life. Writer Lady Antonia Fraser, who has written a biography of the queen writes, "There is a question whether she didn't have the inherited disease porphyria. In certain periods in her life she would become almost hysterical and broken down." A BBC documentary will cover the latest research. |
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