How did French King Henry II suffer a jousting accident?
Why did his brilliant physician fail to save his life?
Jousting is an extreme sport. And on June 30, 1559, the king of France found out exactly how extreme it can be.
He took a lance through the eye hole of his helmet. Fragments drove deep into his brain. But he didn't die on the field.
With her husband in agony, the queen summoned the royal surgeon, Ambroise Pare, a man who would in later become a father of modern medicine.
Pare would have known an effective but risky procedure that might have saved Henry II. But he didn't try it.
What was this life saving procedure?
The secret will be revealed in Museum Secrets: Inside the Louvre.
A King's Armor
To discover the aesthetic beauty and symbolism of Henry's armor, we invite you to watch our Web Exclusive Video: Armor Aesthetics.
The Extreme Sport of Kings
To view a reenacted jousting tournament watch our Web Exclusive Video: Jousting Match.
The Treatment No One Tried
Find out what doctors might have done to save the king's life in our Web Exclusive Video: Henry's Healers.
Believe It Or Not
According to people who should know, it's sometimes a good idea to drill a hole in someone's head. Don't believe it? Check out this advisory from the World Health Organization.

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