In this captivating video, we delve into the tumultuous reign of King Charles the Sixth of France, spanning from 1380 to 1422, marked by recurrent episodes of mental instability. These episodes were so severe that during their peaks, the king would often fail to recognize his own identity or even his royal status.
Faced with the daunting challenge of managing his erratic behavior, which included frenzied dashes through the corridors of his Parisian abode, the court resorted to drastic measures. They erected barriers to confine him, a testament to the extremity of his condition. Astonishingly, there was a distressing period lasting five months where he refused basic hygiene practices, neglecting to bathe or change his garments.
Yet, the zenith of peculiarity in Charles's affliction was reached when he became convinced that his body was not flesh and bone, but rather, fragile glass. This conviction was not figurative; he genuinely believed in the brittleness of his being.
To shield himself from perceived peril, the king adorned attire fortified with iron rods and recoiled from physical contact, apprehensive of shattering upon touch.
This curious phenomenon, dubbed the "glass delusion," did not confine its grip to Charles VI alone. Its eerie tendrils extended across Europe's noble echelons, ensnaring minds in its peculiar dread. Notable figures, such as the esteemed Russian composer Tchaikovsky, found themselves haunted by fears of bodily fragmentation during moments of artistic fervor.
Elsewhere, a Princess of Bavaria endured the harrowing apprehension of a glass piano lodged within her, a phantom threat poised to rupture from within.
