King John and the lampreys

Jim Gregory | 13:14 Mon 26th Feb 2001 | History

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King John I died of a surfeit of lampreys. What are they and how did they kill him?

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mainspring54

Lampreys are akin to young eels also known as elvers. All types of these eel like fish are edible but go off very quickly. It is recomended they are cooked in boiling water as soon as they are killed which is why wet fish shops only carry live eels which they behead as and when bought. Eels and lampreys live on the flesh of carrion. Cases of salmonella and botulism are closely associated with them. It is therefore supposed that King John contracted salmonella or botulism.
Haidie Jago BS London university (pathology)

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