Maybe Edward the Black Prince didn’t die from chronic dysentery after all

There's rarely time to write about every cool science-y story that comes our way. So this year, we're once again running a special Twelve Days of Christmas series of posts, highlighting one science story that fell through the cracks in 2022, each day from December 25 through January 5. Today: A military historian argues that Edward the Black Prince died of malaria and inflammatory bowel disease—not chronic dysentery, as previously believed.

Edward of Woodstock, known as the Black Prince, emerged from multiple battles relatively unscathed, only to be felled by disease at the age of 45. Historians have believed that he died of chronic dysentery, but James Robert Anderson, a military historian, believes that the Black Prince may have died of Malaria. He and his co-authors wrote a paper in December about military health.

He may have died from a variety of infections or inflammatory conditions. Malaria, Brucellosis, inflammatory bowel disease, or long term complications of acute dysentery are some of the diseases that might be included. Chronic dysentery is not likely.

Edward of Woodstock was the oldest son and heir apparent to the throne. During the Hundred Years' War, when the French were a constant threat, he was educated in philosophy and logic and well- trained in the art of war.

Edward's first battle was when he was just 16 years old. The young knight sent a message to his father asking for help. Edward III did not want his son to fight in battle.

Historians don't agree on how he became the Black Prince. There is a reference to Edward as the Black Prince in two manuscript notes from the 16th century. He is referred to as Edward, Black Prince of Wales in Henry V and Richard III. The name was established by the 16th century.

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Edward is thought to have worn black armor into battle, and there is a French account of him being clad in black armor. There isn't much evidence for this. Edward has a reputation for being brutal in battle. He was praised as the epitome of noble chivalry in England, but the French thought differently.

Edward's health began to decline quickly after he returned to England. On June 8, 1368, he died. The "bloody flux", which is the main symptom of dysentery, dates back to Hippocrates. Henry the Young King, John, King of England, Louis IX of France, Edward I of England, and Philip V of France all fell victim to Dysentery in the Middle Ages.

According to the authors, the Black Prince's illness emerged after he won the Battle of Najera. As many as 80% of Edward's army may have died from disease after enduring significant hardship and hunger, according to historical accounts. He was ill and had to be carried in a litter to lead the Siege of Limoges.

The Capture of Limoges , showing the Black Prince carried on a litter. Jean de Warvin, Chroniques d’Angleterre, late 15th century ">

Edward's recurrent illness and drawn-out decline would be consistent with the chronic side effects of amoebic dysentery. Anderson and his colleagues argue that it was unlikely that he would have been allowed to board that ship in 1372 with chronic dysentery. Acute dysentery may fit the bill.

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Edward would have been unlikely to survive for a long time without treatment, according to Anderson et al. It is more likely that dehydration was the cause of the stones. The pattern of the Black Prince's illness is related to inflammatory bowel disease.

Brucellosis is an infectious disease that can be contracted by consuming unpasteurized dairy or raw meat. Malaria would fit the prince's illness in that it can lead to multiple organ failure if it is not treated quickly.

Edward's death changed the course of English history and his son became the new king. Henry Bolingbroke, son of the Black Prince's younger brother, John of Gaunt, and another grandson of Edward III, deposed Richard II. Infighting between two branches of the House of Plantagenet led to the rise of the House of Tudor in the 15th century.

Disease has caused enormous morbidity and loss of life, something that has remained consistent for hundreds of years. Protection and treatment of deployed forces are as important as they were in the 1370s.

The journal of military health. The military-2022-002282 is about DOIs.