A strange discovery has been made concerning the body of King Edward IV, whose corpse has been preserved for 520 years. Researchers are currently carrying out investigations, hoping to unravel the mystery surrounding the peculiar "liquor" found around the lower legs and feet of the exhumed King’s body. The recent discovery of an old journal dating back to the mid-1700s has helped to shed light on the mystery. In this journal, Dr. James Lind, a physician at Windsor where King Edward IV was buried, described the liquor in his report as having a dark brown color resembling that of a walnut-pickle. The liquor had a rough and tasteless quality except for a faint taste of astringency, which is similar to when water remains in a rotten wooden container for a long time. The ancient coffin was lead-lined, ensuring that the King’s remains remained dry.
Researchers took the information to the Royal Society of Chemistry, and experts were contacted to give their opinion on the origin of the peculiar fluid. Forensic pathologist Professor Chris Milroy at the University of Sheffield is currently reviewing the documents, with his extensive experience gained from studying ancient preserved "bog men." He has gained notoriety due to his involvement in exposing cases such as the fraudulent Persian mummy that featured in the BBC’s Horizon program.
The Society of Antiquaries stumbled on the account describing the liquor in the 18th century and has indicated that the experts don’t believe it is an embalming fluid. The Royal Society of Chemistry indicated that if an embalming fluid was used, the remains would not be as decayed as a skeleton. Professor Milroy’s initial theory is that the noxious fluid was produced by the breakdown of body fat and muscle in an airtight environment. Edward IV, the brother of King Richard III, was notorious for the latter’s alleged actions in murdering the princes in the Tower as part of the plan to ascend to the throne.
