A new reconstruction of the face of Robert the Bruce

[Erpingham]

A new reconstruction of the Bruce has been produced.  These do get increasingly realistic, which may be a bad thing (they can't be entirely accurate and may mislead) but I like them in that they humanise figures from the past. This Bruce does look like he could lead armies though.  Though I would have been able to afford a polished bascinet rather than a hammer-black one 

I've never been convinced by the leprosy argument, which I recall has something to do with missing front teeth.  However, I suspect this might be "battle damage" - having teeth knocked out was an occupational hazard for men-at-arms - with the degree of remodelling dating it a long time before his death.

For a view from the team who did the work (including the legendary Prof Caroline Wilkinson), see https://www.gla.ac.uk/hunterian/visit/exhibitions/virtualexhibitions/robertthebruce/#thefaceoftheking

[Nick Harbud]

FWIW, I was watching a documentary on the various military orders and it had a small section on the Order of St Lazarus whose members were lepers. 

A key insight from the presenter was that becoming infected with leprosy had an upside in the medieval mind, the arguement being that as God had visited such an awful affliction upon one during one's mortal existence, this was a sure sign that you could look forward to a superior position in Heaven.  Consequently, the Lazar Brethren were looked upon as being specifically chosen by God to do His work against the heathen, and therefore particularly holy.

[Keraunos]

Though I would have been able to afford a polished bascinet rather than a hammer-black one 

Looking at the pictures it seems that the "hammer-black" bascinet has a leather texture to it.  Would it be what went under a bascinet?  Odd though to put the crown directly on it.