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Crowned and Crazy: Six Rulers Who Figuratively Lost Their Heads
From the king who thought he was his brother, to the empress who made cross-dressing mandatory at court, history has had its share of mad monarchs
Please note: The following is based, in most cases, on hearsay. People in power are often the subject of gossip, some of it quite malicious. These anecdotes may have been exaggerated over time or be completely false. In the past, mental illness was attributed to moral weakness, God’s judgment on the wicked, or some other such nonsense. Incidents in the lives of these monarchs were recorded by those who viewed them through the lens of antiquated beliefs and prejudice. The accounts below are presented in the spirit of sharing stories that are part of the past. The author in no way intends to condemn or make light of those who struggle with mental illness either yesterday or today.
1. — Portugal’s Peter I (1320–1367)
Grief has inspired people to do strange things. Losing the person you love most, especially when that love was passionate and all-encompassing…
