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 …
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 …
The Spanish Hall in Ambras Castle
(couldn't resist putting it up - beautiful)
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
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10 comments:
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 :(
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.
That poor man! Well, both of them. Life is extremely hard for some people.
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
Yikes! That’s a scary injury. Hope your nhs stuff goes well.
@ Hels - by the sound of Ferdinand he was v interested in war items ...
@ Jane and Lance - I'll be over to see you tomorrow ... thanks for your comment - great to have new friends. Oh yes - you're into All Souls Day ... no doubt some Britons will be doing the same here .. though I hadn't realised about the cemeteries being illuminated: interesting to know about.
@ Janice - yes poor soul ... and as you say both of them: especially back in those days ...
@ Yam - good ... it amused me when I saw the pic! Yes - the health is nuisance, but I'm trying not to let it get me down ... thanks for healing vibes and positive vibes being sent down on the cold north wind!!
@ Anabel - I was a bit horrified to see both ... but amused me to live and learn. The NHS will come through I'm sure - I just need patience ...
Cheers to you 5 - have peaceful Halloween weekends - Hilary
A very gruesome painting. I guess that's when when people are impaled nowadays, they leave the thing in until they can get them to the hospital. Safer that way.
I hope you're feeling better.
Very Halloween-appropriate but must have been excruciating to live on with that injury! Sending you positive vibes and well wishes plenty.
Interesting.
Chimney, a character on an American show called 9-1-1, had a pole through the head and lived. Obviously fiction, but probably based on some real scenario. Maybe this one.
May your memories continue to inspire on this Day of the Dead.
Hopefully your Halloween was "Spooktacular." 🎃
"Everybody is a book of blood; wherever we're opened, we're red." - Clive Barker
J (he/him 👨🏽 or 🧑🏽 they/them) @JLenniDorner ~ Speculative Fiction & Reference Author and Co-host of the April Blogging #AtoZChallenge
My word, Hilary, you do find the gruesome and unusual! As for Halloween, we will shut off the lights and hunker down for the evening. When we first moved to this neighbourhood twenty-two years ago there were lots of little kids, but now there are hardly any. Very few houses have sold on the street so white hair and no hair are characteristic of the residents. Glad that things are quiet for you, at least for the present. Be good to yourself. Best wishes - David
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