The Clonycavan Man

 

In March of 2003, a body was found in a bog by peat cutters in Clonycavan, County Meath, Ireland . The body belonged to a man between 24 to 40 (believed to be in his 20's) who died between 392 BC to 201 BC. He was 5'2", and had crooked teeth. He had long and styled hair. The front of his hair was shaven, giving him a higher hairline, and the remainder was several inches long which was folded forward and then back, and sported a goatee and mustache. There was hair oil in his hair that consisted of plant oil and pine resins found in France or Spain. He had a rich diet consisting of vegetables, fruits, and protein.

It's believed that he may have been a king that was sacrificed after a bad harvest or another disaster.  His death may have been done to please the goddess of fertility. He was likely killed during the warmer months of the year which was indicated by his diet.

He was killed from a blow to the head with a sharp instrument, possibly an axe, and then was hit in the nose, chest, and was disemboweled. His nipples were may have been sliced off or were missing due to decomposition. If his nipples were sliced off, that would possibly mean that he failed kingship or a failed candidate for kingship.

SOURCES:

Wikipedia

Mummipedia Wiki

BBC News Jan. 7, 2006

Archeology

The Old Croghan Man

The Old Croghan Man is a bog body found in Croghan Hill, Daingean, County Offaly, Ireland in June 2003. Despite his name, he was believed to be in his early 20's and died between 362 BCE and 175 BCE. From the measurements of his arms, it's believed he was around 6'6". His body indicated he did little to no labor and manicured nails. His lungs had scars which indicated he may have had pleurisy.

He was naked except for an arm ring on his left arm. The arm ring was made from two waterlogged leather, strands of fibers, and four bronze mounts.

It's believed that he was a king that was sacrificed for a bad harvest or disaster. At the time of his death kings were blamed and sacrificed for such things. This may have been done to please the gods. He was also in a bog that may have been a lake at one time at the bottom of a hill used for kingship ceremonies. 

It's believed he was killed in the winter months as his diet indicated that it was rich in meat. His last meal was wheat and buttermilk, but that may have been because of ritual. He was stabbed in the ribs and there's a cut on his arm indicating he tried to defend himself. It's believed that he died from this stab. He had cuts beneath his nipples and may have been tortured before death. His nipples may have been mutilated because of failed kingship or failed candidate for kingship.  He would be dismembered and beheaded. Hazel ropes were passed through his arms before he was buried in the bog.

SOURCES:
Wikipedia
Mummipedia Wiki
BBC News Jan. 7, 2006
Archeology

Academic

Possible Murder of Constance of Normandy

Constance of Normandy was born between 1057 to 1061 and was one of nine children of William the Conqueror and Matilda of Flanders. She was considered a favorite by her mother and was considered well accomplished and gifted. Though it wasn't noted the order of birth's of the daughters a monk, William of Jumièges, noted that she was the second oldest among the daughters. 

In 1086 William the Conqueror invaded the Duchy of Britanny and forced its Duke Alan Fergant into submission. He would then arrange a marriage between Constance and the duke. Like her mother, Constance became an administrator. 

There are two contradictory reports on her time as a duchess. William of Malmesbury, an early 12th-century historian, stated that she was unpopular. That she was severe and conservative manner made her unlikable. But according to another, Orderic Vitalis, she was caring, considerate, and well-liked by subjects. Constance would die on 13 August 1090. 

William of Malmesbury would allege that her husband had the lady poisoned through their servants. Constance would be buried at the church of St. Melans, Rhedon, Bretagne, France.  

SOURCES:

Wikipedia

My Heritage

Find a Grave

The History Jar

Murder of Lord Darnley and William Taylor

Henry Stuart better known as Lord Darnley came from a family that had both the Scottish and English thrones via ties with James II of Scotland and Henry VII of England.  He had the potential to claim either side. Lord Darnley met Mary Queen of Scots when he was 20 in Feb. of  1565.

The two became smitten with each other. They have soon married in July and he had become King of the Scots. Soon the bliss faded though. Lord Darnley had a bad temper and made enemies in a drunken and arrogant manner.

Mary Knew that he shouldn't succeed the crowd as he would make an awful ruler. She refused to grant him the Crown Matrimonial which would make him the successor if she was childless. Mary didn't have to worry about that as she became pregnant with her son James. Who would become the future James I of England.

Mary became close to her private secretary David Rizzio. He was stabbed 56 times on March 9, 1566, by Darnley and his confederates and Protestant Scottish nobles. This was all front of Mary whom people suspected was pregnant with David Rizzio's child.

In 1567 Lord Darnley was staying the Kirk o' Field in Edinburgh, Scottland. In the weeks leading up to Feb. 9, 1567, he was either suffering from smallpox or syphilis and stayed at the Old Provost's lodging at Kirk O'Field. He had formed pocks on himself. He was staying with his family in Glasglow before but Mary thought he'd do better there.

On Feb 10, 1567, around 2 a.m. an explosion could be heard. The place that Lord Darnley resided was in rubbles, but his body was not inside the home. He and his valet, William Taylor, were found in the orchard. Their bodies were found outside surrounded by a cloak, a dagger, a chair, and a coat. Darnley seemed

Two barrels of gunpowder were placed underneath Lord Darnley's room. Something had spooked him and he and William ran outside the place. It's believed that Lord Darnley had been asleep at the time because he was only dressed in a nightshirt. He had apparently been smothered there were no physical signs of violence, but he had internal injuries possibly from the explosion. It's not stated how William died and why they thought the items that were around them were around them.

Some suspect that it was Mary who had plotted his death. That she may have gotten revenge for David Rizzio's death or because she was in love with James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell. She was a devout Catholic and believed that divorce was not an option.

It's unknown what had really happened that night.

SOURCES:
Tudor Society
Wikipedia
The History Jar
Historic Mysteries