Community Chat

[FuzzyFace]

I've been reading books about King Henry VIIIth and the speculation that his reproductive and other health problems, especially after the age of 40th, were due to a problem with his blood type which is speculated to be Kell positive, which could also lead to an illness called McLeoud's syndrome. (It's almost the same kind of situation in which an RH positive blood type rejects an RH negative blood type, or the other way around, especially during pregnancy).

Historians have been debating this for a long time, and they're pretty much agreed than an examination of Henry's body would settle that andd other questions.

Does anyone here think the queen would allow Henry's body to be exhumed and examined? I kind of think she wouldn't, but you never know. And if she doesn't, possibly her successor--who I presume will be Charles--might be more open-minded about such things

Anyway, I'd like to hear what you all think, especially people with that kind of scientific background. (My dh does but even he doesn't know anything aout the Kell blood type.)

[cherry]

If I were her I wouldn't. What earthly differnce can it make ,at this point? Let the dead rest in peace, even the ones like Henry who were cruel.  It won't change anything at all. I sure wouldn't want someone digging me up at a later date

[Peaches McPhee]

Interesting topic. 

Given what I have read about Elizabeth, I don't think she would allow this.  I think she is more in the "let sleeping dogs (or Kings!) lie, and don't rock the boat" camp.  There's no benefit to the testing other that to prove a historcal point.

[shopperqvc]

What would this solve? Just someone's curiosity. If a UFO were to land on Earth, someone would what to "study" them and eventually take them apart to see what they are made of. Leave it alone.

[drizzellla]

After Queen Elizabeth I there are no direct descendants to Henry VIII. So I can't help but think Queen Elizabeth II will not agree to have the body exhumed. She would rather have the body remain where it is, undisturbed.

[Vivian]

As an intellectual curiosity, I could see it being done. However, from a cultural/historical perspective,  I don’t think it would add much to British history. I doubt the queen would approve.

[Sooner]

I'd say it is a gigantic waste of grant money that could be used better to research something that might benefit the living.  Another "research" project for some academic types to have fun with and get on tv that really does nothing to justify the expense. 

[millieshops]

Beyond curiosity. what reason is there to exhume him -  if there's not someone living or even not already living who would benefit, whyever would she or Charles or William or anyone ever approve?

[RainCityWoman]

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@shopperqvc wrote:

What would this solve? Just someone's curiosity. If a UFO were to land on Earth, someone would what to "study" them and eventually take them apart to see what they are made of. Leave it alone.

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If you believe the conspiracy theorists, THAT already happened, and they have footage. by the way, I'd be more inclined to believe Henry VIII had syphillis. 

[faeriemoon]

First of all I think the queen is more progressive and open minded than peope think.  However, would this even be her (or anyone in the royal family, for that matter) decision  to make?