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For centuries, King Charles VI of France and his grandson, Henry VI of England, have been remembered as "mad monarchs", who's sad situations led to intrigue, war, and their eventual downfall. There's been quite a bit of discussion over the years as to what, exactly, was wrong with them. Although no modern-day psychologist or mental health professional will ever be able to examine them and know for sure, my best guess is catatonic schizophrenia, triggered by stress.
Here's some of Charles VI's symptoms:
-- Losing consciousness
-- Complaining of severe pains "like a sword piercing his heart"
-- Inability to recognize family or friends
-- Paranoia and sudden attacks of violence
-- Delusions; believing he was made of glass, insisting his name was Georges, etc.
-- Wailing, screaming, barking like a dog
-- Racing around the palace until he was physically exhausted
-- Refusing to be bathed, shaved, urinating in his clothing
-- Appeared to sense the onset of an attack, would order swords and daggers removed from him lest he use them to kill himself or others
And Henry VI's symptoms:
-- Melancholy and possible depression
-- Lapsed into stupors, with an inability to care for himself or recognize his relatives or surroundings, followed by periods of lucidity that could last for years at a time
-- While in a stupor, would have to be physically moved from place to place
-- Spent much of his time in prayer and was passive and non-violent, unlike his grandfather
-- Saw "visions" (hallucinations) of Jesus and the Virgin Mary and heard voices (auditory delusions) as recounted by John Blacman, a priest who knew him personally
-- Disordered speech, as recounted by French ambassadors in 1445, Henry would say "Saint Jehan, grant mercis!" whenever he heard the name of his uncle Charles VII of France, and when the ambassadors went to leave, he cried out "No!" while continuing to smile.
Moreover, Charles VI's mother, Jeanne de Bourbon, seems to have been mentally ill as well, according to Froissart, who claims she "lost her good sense and memory".
The catatonia, delusions, and immobility suffered by both Charles and Henry suggest catatonic schizophrenia. In addition, Charles (but not Henry) showed signs of excessive mobility, which is sometimes found in catatonic schizophrenics. Their disordered speech is possibly the result of thought blocking.
Here's some of Charles VI's symptoms:
-- Losing consciousness
-- Complaining of severe pains "like a sword piercing his heart"
-- Inability to recognize family or friends
-- Paranoia and sudden attacks of violence
-- Delusions; believing he was made of glass, insisting his name was Georges, etc.
-- Wailing, screaming, barking like a dog
-- Racing around the palace until he was physically exhausted
-- Refusing to be bathed, shaved, urinating in his clothing
-- Appeared to sense the onset of an attack, would order swords and daggers removed from him lest he use them to kill himself or others
And Henry VI's symptoms:
-- Melancholy and possible depression
-- Lapsed into stupors, with an inability to care for himself or recognize his relatives or surroundings, followed by periods of lucidity that could last for years at a time
-- While in a stupor, would have to be physically moved from place to place
-- Spent much of his time in prayer and was passive and non-violent, unlike his grandfather
-- Saw "visions" (hallucinations) of Jesus and the Virgin Mary and heard voices (auditory delusions) as recounted by John Blacman, a priest who knew him personally
-- Disordered speech, as recounted by French ambassadors in 1445, Henry would say "Saint Jehan, grant mercis!" whenever he heard the name of his uncle Charles VII of France, and when the ambassadors went to leave, he cried out "No!" while continuing to smile.
Moreover, Charles VI's mother, Jeanne de Bourbon, seems to have been mentally ill as well, according to Froissart, who claims she "lost her good sense and memory".
The catatonia, delusions, and immobility suffered by both Charles and Henry suggest catatonic schizophrenia. In addition, Charles (but not Henry) showed signs of excessive mobility, which is sometimes found in catatonic schizophrenics. Their disordered speech is possibly the result of thought blocking.
