British royals 'used to be cannibals dining on human flesh'

Metro.co.uk ^ | May 20, 2011 | Metro.co.uk

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

But now a new reason has emerged why the royals might be a particularly interesting subject, with the revelation that they used to dine on human flesh.

Kate and Wills will hopefully not follow the cannibal traditions of their ancestors (PA)

According to a new book on medicinal cannibalism, written by University of Durham academic Dr Richard Sugg, well-off and well-educated Brits used to eat human flesh, blood and bones as medicine.

This practice apparently took place in other parts of Europe as well up until the end of the 18th century.

While referring to the barbarity of cannibals in the New World, royals hypocritically applied, drank or wore powdered Egyptian mummy, as well as human fat, flesh, bone and even brains.

Dr Sugg suggests one cure for nosebleeds used by the upper class was moss taken from the skulls of dead soldiers.

The academic, from the university's English Studies department, argues strongly that the Europeans were the real cannibals of the world.

'One thing we are rarely taught at school, yet is evidenced in literary and historic texts of the time, is this: James I refused corpse medicine; Charles II made his own corpse medicine; and Charles I was made into corpse medicine,' he said.

Charles II wasn't the only royal to enjoy a feast of human flesh either; Queen Mary and William III were said to be in on the act too.

Dr Sugg's book, Mummies, Cannibals and Vampires, will be published on June 29th and will be featured in an upcoming Channel 4 documentary with Tony Robinson.

Recently, a would-be cannibal in Kysak, Slovakia, was shot dead by police after his potential meal informed the authorities of his plans.

[dixiechick2000]

You’re a guy, so I guess you do. Hopefully, you will go out more often.

[PghBaldy]

I’ve known that people in general ate mummies. Did not know that it was restricted to royals, which this article implies.

[TheOldLady]

Thanks for the Python skits.

Hubby and I will have to dig out our Python DVDs and give them another look-see.

[Daffynition]

Who knew the Royals were cutting-edge zombies?

[null and void]

Er wot? With a gamy leg???

[Slings and Arrows]

De nada.

[Grizzled Bear]

Look into the past of any culture and you'll find cannibalism. The Japanese practiced it up to the end of WWII.

[Texas Eagle]

British royals 'used to be cannibals dining on human flesh'

I find the wording of the headline utterly redundant.

Whoever wrote the headline should be sacked.

[grey_whiskers]

A Møøse once bit my sister ...

[Lady Jag]

Aha! More proof I'm related to Queen Mary!

[andy58-in-nh]

Dear Sir, I am glad to hear that your studio audience disapproves of the last skit as strongly as I. As a naval officer I abhor the implication that the Royal Navy is a haven for cannibalism. It is well known that we now have the problem relatively under control, and that it is the RAF who now suffer the largest casualties in this area. And what do you think the Argylls ate in Aden. Arabs? Yours etc. Captain B.J. Smethwick in a white wine sauce with shallots, mushrooms and garlic.

[trisham]

Doctor Lecter, is that you?

[trisham]

LOL!

[trisham]

You are a Lady..just sayin’. :)

[Daffynition]

Have the recipes been handed down?

[TheOldLady]

Lady fingers on the menu tonight?

[Vanders9]

What are you talking about? The British Isles is one of the more densely populated parts of the world.

Oh do you mean pre-industrial revolution? That's just the weather.

[Vanders9]

I’ve known that people in general ate mummies. Did not know that it was restricted to royals, which this article implies.

It wasn't restricted to Royals, as you can clearly see if you read the article closely. However, by associating it with Royals, and carefully finessing the facts, it creates a greater "shock horror" effect in the headline, (and also instills the idea that the current Royal family is descended from cannibals, and that westerners are less civilised than the poor hapless and noble natives). Rubbish propoganda basically.

If you think about it, its rather logical (from a pre-scientific understanding). The general consensus in medieval and rennaissance times was that the ancients knew more than they did. Mummies preserve bodies, therefore ingesting a bit of one might help to preserve you. QED.