Friday, 31 October 2025

Ghoul … or not as the case maybe …

 

This is Gregor Baci … who, from the 1600s, has been immortalised in this Hungarian painting … sorry – it just amused me today of all days, as one of Wiki's 'Did you Know' …


Portrait of Gregor Baci


Apparently he lived for a year after the event, caused possibly in a joust … the spearhead was sawn off - making life more comfortable for the poor man in the last months of his life ... 



I note that a comparable case was described in the The Lancet in 2010 when a craftsman was impaled by a metal rod falling 46 feet (14 m) from a church ceiling - he survived for five years.

Dracula - 'portrait in Ambras Castle'



I wonder if the rod was dislodged by bats in the Belfry … 


... or perhaps by Dracula ... 



The Baci painting hangs in Ambras Castle, Innsbruck … and was likely held by Ferdinand II, Archduke of Austria, as he had been interested in arms and curiosities.


Life is sorting itself out here … November brings a few NHS aspects and then I hope December will leave me alone til 2026 dawns and a prognosis can be made as to what next …


The Spanish Hall in Ambras Castle
(couldn't resist putting it up - beautiful)
Life ticks along thankfully – can't say I'm desperately thrilled with it … but, though sluggish, I am positive and continue to make people laugh … which is good for one and all …


Enjoy your Halloween treats or horror films … no doubt there'll be a few Eastbournians out and about pranking around – I'll see them, but will be behind closed doors … not misery me, just glad I can get away!


All the best to everyone … I shall see you round about …


Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

5 comments:

hels said...

Ferdinand II, Arch Duke of Austria, must have had a perverse interest in curiosities. Poor Baci must have had an agonizing 13 months, before he died :(

Jane and Lance Hattatt said...

Dear Hilary,

It is indeed a gruesome tale of poor Gregor Baci but certainly apposite for the season. We have to confess that we shall certainly be hiding away from any Halloweeners but will, as customary here in Hungary, visit a main cemetery tomorrow on All Souls Day. It is a National Holiday when families visit the graves of those who have died and the cemeteries are a magical sight when illuminated by thousands of candles burning in remembrance.

jabblog said...

That poor man! Well, both of them. Life is extremely hard for some people.

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
Suitably macabre offerings for the spooktober! Sounds like health things are dragging on for you, Hilary. I send lots of healing vibes and positive thoughts (all one has at such distance). YAM xx

Anabel Marsh said...

Yikes! That’s a scary injury. Hope your nhs stuff goes well.