The Healing Touch

By

Bobette Bryan

Can a king heal with a touch alone?

People used to think so. In fact, nobility seemed to have special ability to heal a disorder called, "The King's Evil," or "The Evil," which is actually Scrofula, a tuberculosis of the lymphatic glands that caused hideous and smelly sores on the body.

In England, Scotland, and France, it had long been thought that the mere touch of a royal hand was a sure cure for scrofula, and similar diseases. According to history, Edward the Confessor (C. 1042-66) was particularly renown for his healing powers and was said to have cured many with his touch.

Charles I had only just claimed the throne when he too began to demonstrate great curative powers by laying his hands on the ill. Scores of people with scrofula flocked his throne, begging for his healing touch.

At the time, people thought a king was divinely chosen by God and inevitably had special powers bequeathed to him upon taking the throne-- including this healing ability.

Perhaps they were right, as Oliver Cromwell, Lord and Protector, who'd waged a war against England's nobility, beheading Charles I, and claiming the country's leadership for himself, attempted to continue the long tradition of healing with a touch...but he utterly failed.

-The End-

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