So recently the Queen of England chose to wear a bright green outfit for her birthday. In my opinion, this may be the best thing England's royalty have done since the King's touch.
In the Middle Ages, the king and queens of England and France believed that they were appointed by God to rule. In order to prove their regency was from God, the divine monarch would do what any sensible person would do, go touch sick people.
You would think this would be a Godsend (pun intended) to the people.
Ma: "My tuberculosis is acting up."
Pa: "We could go to the doctor and have him put leeches on you. They will suck your blood out till you faint."
Ma: " You just want me to stop nagging you... cough cough... Nah... I'm gonna go down to the palace and touch the king. He's a looker."
Unfortunately, many of the nobility were not lookers. And thus, it became tradition to also offer a memorial coin. The coin could be kept as a memento, or more likely, be spent on real medical treatment.
The "Touch Piece" of Henry VI (1422-1461)There were of course, people who were suspicious as to whether the king (or queen) could heal someone. Voltaire is famously highlighted in criticizing the practice. Apparently Louis XIV's mistress died of scrofula "despite being very well touched by the king." But overall, centuries passed where most people thought one great way to deal with major illness was to have the king touch you.
I know what you are thinking.... this blog is PG.... yes.... so.... Apparently, the last documented touching by a king of England was by George I. The French kept touching people a little longer until Charles X touched 120 people in 1825 and it was decided that was to be the last publicly sanctioned touching. Ok... PG...
We would all agree that the last two hundred years the regency has not been the same. The royal family has become quite boring. That is, until now. The queen's green suit has once again placed her in contact with the people. This time, through the many great memes circulating.
You want your queen to be batman? Done.
The Riddler? Done.
Burger Queen? Done.
Or maybe just in a Dr. Who outfit? Done and Done.
Nice work Queen!
Queen goes Green Screen
