The truth behind Queen Elizabeth’s white ‘clown face’ makeup

Almost 500 years ago Queen Elizabeth was struck down with a violent fever. What happened next would change the course of history.

When Queen Elizabeth I was 29, in 1562, she was struck down with what was believed to be a violent fever.

Ordered by doctors to remain in her bed at Hampton Court Palace, it was soon clear that her illness was more than just a fever — she had the dreaded smallpox.

Smallpox was a feared, deadly, viral disease that was highly contagious. There was no…