Phillipa of Hainhault?

Question

Phillipa of Hainhault and Edward III had two daughters, Mary and Margaret who died of a sickness which made them very tired and sleepy and which at the time was an unknown illness. What was it they had?

Answer 1

Just off the top of my head, it bears resemblance to encephalitis, a viral disease that has characteristics that include drowsiness and coma--it has also been commonly called "sleeping sickness" (there was an outbreak of it in the Delaware Valley when I was a child). It can be a complication arising from Lyme disease (spread by ticks) and can also be spread by mosquitoes.

Given the conditions in the Middle Ages, even among royalty, I'd say the odds of the princesses having somehow contracted this disease are not all that low.

Answer 2

The Black Death, the Bubonic plague

Answer 3

Diabetes.


Peace....