Posted on 08/24/2014 10:48:27 AM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
Bone chemistry sheds light on the monarch's shifting diet throughout his brief life
Richard III was only 32 years old when he was struck down at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485. But according to new research, the King of England at least enjoyed some good eating throughout his lifeespecially in the few years leading up to his death.
Scientists from the British Geological Survey and the University of Leicester analyzed Richard III's teeth, his femur and his ribs to see what they could reveal about the monarch's diet, Phys.org reports. They used isotope analysis to identify chemical signatures that correspond with certain foods and geographic locations.
His ribwhich has the fastest renewal rate and therefore the most recent isotopic signatureshowed that he led a pretty fancy lifestyle in the two to five years preceding his death. First of all, he drank. Since historical records showed that Richard had stayed in one place at the end of his life, the researchers attributed a change in the oxygen isotypes in his bonesusually a sign of geographical relocationto drinking. They concluded, LiveScience writes, "that about a quarter of the oxygen deposited in Richard's bones came from wine."
And he ate well. After he became king, the scientists found, his diet changed significantly. Now he was eating freshwater fish and wild birds. If Richard III's banquets were anything like other medieval feasts researchers know about, Phys.org adds, then those festivities most likely included wild birds such as swans, cranes, herons and egrets.
Reminds me of the one about the Washington Biological Survey banded a bunch of ducks and turned them loose. Due to space they put Wash Biol Surv and their phone number for people to report if they shot one. Later they got a message, “I shot one of your ducks. I tried the recipe on the band, and it tasted terrible!”
It’s all fun and games until someone hacks to you tiny pieces with a broadsword.
That’s exactly like my mom used to make it.
I sympathize with you. I have similar dog problems, caused by an 85 lb. Pitador and a 110 lb. Great Dane.
Wrong Richard.
THIS Richard. Richard I (Lionheart) = Steely Dan's reference.
Raise up your glass to Good King John
King John ("Lackland" of Magna Carta fame) followed Richard I.
FReegards!
That was Richard I.
Well, duh, he was king.
Interesting. Would like to see more articles like this.
Everyone drank ale for the reason you mention. They used to process the ingredients three times giving three different strength beers for different people. The first and strongest batch went to the men, the second to women and the final, called small beer, was for the kids.
I once saw a record of the rations given to various members of Henry VIII’s court. A lady in waiting was given 2 loaves, a pound of roast beef and a gallon of ale for BREAKFAST! They must have been merry times.
Hands down, the last line is the most misunderstood and misquoted line of all Shakespeare's work.
Cade. Be brave, then; for your captain is brave, and vows reformation. There shall be in England seven halfpenny loaves sold for a penny; the three-hooped pot shall have ten hoops; and I will make it felony to drink small beer. All the realm shall be in common, and in Cheapside shall my palfrey go to grass. And when I am king,as king I will be, 40 All. God save your majesty! Cade. I thank you, good people: there shall be no money; all shall eat and drink on my score; and I will apparel them all in one livery, that they may agree like brothers, and worship me their lord. Dick. The first thing we do, lets kill all the lawyers. Henry the Sixth, Part Two. Act IV, Scene 2. [emphasis added]
Sorry, don’t buy it.
Richard III throughout his life was at the very peak of the English aristocracy. Throughout his brother’s reign he was his #1 right-hand man.
He had anything at all he wanted to eat throughout his life. I seriously doubt his diet changed much after becoming King.
Had a hunch he ate well.
Never heard of that line. How is it misunderstood, it seems pretty clear at first sight.
So yes, one can argue that good comedy has that "germ" of truth. But the line is almost universally misinterpreted, for obvious reasons.
Now, you too, can be a bore at parties. :)
Note: this topic was posted 8/24/2014. Thanks afraidfortherepublic and abb.
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