She Was In Denial
Dr Burcot, a well-known physician, confirmed that Elizabeth had smallpox, and the diagnosis was confirmed by the hospital staff. Unlike the queen, who initially refused to accept this, the king eventually agreed. In order to avoid dealing with the facts, she appears to have chosen to label Burcot as inept.
She Was In Denial
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People Were Terrified
Given the widespread fear of smallpox in English culture at the time, Elizabeth’s reaction was natural. At the time, the contagious disease had surpassed the plague as the most terrible pandemic to strike Europe’s population. Despite the fact that smallpox would not reach epidemic proportions for hundreds of years, the king had every reason to be concerned.
People Were Terrified
