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
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
29 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
@ Liz - yes when I spotted it I thought that's great ... i.e. a good Halloween post ... those were the days - glad I live today. I keep going ... I hope this month I'll find out more - we'll see ...
@ Nila - I agree those people in the early days of these sorts of accidents must be so hardened to pain. The thought horrifies me. Thanks re the positive vibes ... life ticks along ...
@ JLenni - good to see you ...
@ David - sorry!! - the image appeared and as it had a little history attached to it ... I thought - ok good post for Halloween! I have to say living in a flat I don't get propositioned ... when I had the house - yes ... but now white hair stops them in their tracks. Yes - all well ... life ticks along I'll be happy to know what's going on and what will happen - but later in the month I'll know more ..
Cheers to the four of you and thanks for visiting ... enjoy November - Hilary
And now it's November- oh my. Nothing gruesome here for Halloween. Only treats. Hope you get sorted out and that 2026 proves less medical. Have a good weekend. I just changed out Halloween decor for some Thanksgiving turkey and fall displays. This time of year whooshes!
Ah who would hang that on his wall Poor man That looks awfull. That Spanish hall is beautiful. Scary that we are already so close to Christmas Hope you are well
Positivity is so helpful! Hoping your upcoming appointment goes well.
@ Joanne - I can't believe how fast the months are passing ... Guy Fawkes 5th November, and Remembrance Sunday/day the 11th ... we await Christmas ... missing out Thanksgiving ... as you say time whooshes!
@ Marja - I know ... but 400 years ago - 'it was the thing' if you had the nobility and cash to buy them. It does look horrible doesn't it - and definitely not nice to think about. I agree the Spanish Hall looks magnificent - that's why I had to put it up. I'm managing thank you ...
@ Elizabeth - thankfully I am positive by nature ... by the evening I'm weary from the stress ... but the appointment is nearly here.
Cheers to the three you - thanks for coming by - Hilary
I can't imagine how Gregor Baci survived a year after that incident. It must have been horrible for him! And the other one who survived for 5 years? Incredible stories! We didn't take part in Halloween either, going out for Chinese food instead. Wishing you good health and a peaceful rest of the year, Hilary! 🥂
Ms. Hilary, River has been trying to get in touch with you about continuing Words for Wednesday in Ms. Sue's honor. If you could please visit her blog and let her know if you want to provide words for a month next year, she would appreciate it and so would I, as I always enjoyed the challenge of the words you chose.
Hm ... Why would I feel reminded of The Elephant Man?
Take good care of yourself, Hilary.
@ Debbie - I know ... especially back in those days ... must have hurt like hell. Also five years ... a great learning experience for the medics. Oh well done - Chinese is always good ... not something I've done for a while. Thanks for the thoughts ...
@ Charlotte - I've contacted River and left a story for the words last week. Thanks for the thought of my word choices!
@ Sean - oddly I came across The Elephant Man yesterday ... because there was an interview with Anthony Hopkins who was the surgeon who took the Elephant Man on as his patient - away from the freak show, he'd been living in til then. So I can understand your mind drifting off to The Elephant Man.
Thanks you three ... life ticks along ... cheers Hilary
As soon as I saw the picture I thought of actor Gorden Kaye, Rene from TV's 'allo 'allo, who suffered a similar injury. He was one of the nicest celebs I ever spent time with back in in my bistro days.
Keep them laughing, Hilary!
Hi Keith - gosh I didn't know that about Gorden Kaye as Rene from 'allo 'allo ... I've now read up about it (the accident and him). Oh great that you were able to meet up with him ... sounds a delight - cheers ... I keep chuckling away ... cheers Hilary
This reminds me that the first time I ever heard of such cases was in a Believe It or Don't book we had as kids. I wonder where it went?
Can you image going through life with something sticking out of you, just hoping to live around it? Insanity!
You are a light, Hilary. I'm always glad I stopped in.
OMG! How did he even live that much longer with the lance going through his head?!!
@ Deniz ... yes I'm sure it'd have been in one of those (or all of them!) 'Believe it or Not' books ... you'll find another, I'm sure! fairly soon ... looking at your kids' reading abilities ...
@ Crystal - no I couldn't think about living with something like that in my head ... as you mention 'insanity'. So pleased you are happy to share my positivity lightness ... things 'amuse' me ...
@ Sherry - I know ... it's a little shocking isn't it - made me laugh or giggle - still does!!
Thanks so much for visiting and commenting ... cheers Hilary
OMG. I had no idea one could be impaled and still live. You'd think there would be a high on-going pain factor there, wouldn't you?
YOU get to feeling perky. Glad you're toddling along,though:)
Cheers,
Hi Sandra - there's a few others too over the centuries ... but I agree the pain must have been appalllng - but one lives in the age one lives in ... I wonder what they'll be saying about this age ... ?! Cheers and good to see you - HIlary
Hi, Hillary! That first image of Baci is horrific! Perfect for Halloween, but that poor, poor man! I hope that your November NHS aspects go well. Thank goodness you have the NHS! I'm, so far, fortunate to haver good health care coverage, but in my country so many don't and may be losing what little access they may have. It's absolutely appalling! I shall keep you in my prayers. Take care of yourself!
Hi Fundy Blue - thanks for coming over ... yes that painting about Baci and his life is horrible to think about. I'm glad you appreciate my 'Perfect for Halloween' post. I'm thankful that my health challenges are a (major) nuisance rather than serious per se. I'm grateful to be here with at least the NHS nearby. I realise we're very lucky here - I'm glad your health care coverage looks after you. I feel for others in your country ... with thoughts - Hilary
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