### Charles II's Magical Wooden Leg
Preface
Since the advent of suspension bridges, there have been wooden legs. As an aid for walking, wooden legs are inextricably linked with the trajectory of human civilization. Throughout this arduous journey, countless great wooden legs have emerged, their stories often celebrated by the wise. As the renowned wooden leg historian, Professor Butler Borch, stated in his book, *Wooden Legs: The Invisible Pillars of Human Civilization, wooden legs are not merely walking aids; they symbolize human resilience and creativity in the face of pain and imperfection. From the wooden prosthetics of ancient civilizations, through the intricate mechanical limbs of the Renaissance, to the bionic limbs of modern technology, wooden legs have always accompanied the evolution of human civilization, witnessing humanity's relentless challenges and breakthroughs against its limitations. Today, we urgently need to re-examine the most mysterious and controversial of them all, or rather, one particular wooden leg—the wooden leg of Charles II.
The Mysterious Wooden Leg
The authenticity of this wooden leg has always been a matter of debate. Some historians believe it is merely a legend, while others are convinced of its existence. Supporters point out that during Charles II's coronation, he requested the throne be raised by three inches, supposedly to accommodate his enormous wooden leg. They also note that in portraits of Charles II, his legs are often obscured, seemingly hinting at some secret.
It is rumored that in 1685, shortly after ascending the throne of England, Charles II lost his left leg in a hunting accident. The royal physicians created a prosthetic for him. This temporary wooden leg was highly controversial, not only causing him to walk with a limp but also producing a loud creaking sound as he moved. On one occasion, while Charles II was on his way to the Privy Council chamber, the leg suddenly detached itself and rolled across the marble floor, leaving His Majesty far behind.
Servants had to find a new wooden leg, which was said to be meticulously crafted by a carpenter named Butler, a man whose skills were unparalleled, akin to the great Michelangelo. During the creation process, Butler reportedly consumed an entire barrel of malt beer. Once the alcohol had thoroughly invaded his brain, he bit off the excess parts of the log with his teeth, a process resembling a ferocious beast gnawing at its prey, saliva flying, and wood chips everywhere. When the leg was completed, it astonishingly stood up by itself, brimming with vitality like a newborn baby.
Afterward, this wooden leg was personally ennobled by Charles II. He carefully engraved the king's crest and a Latin motto, "Gratia Regi Adepto" (By the Grace of the King), onto its surface. Charles named the leg "Frederick," after a deceased friend. From then on, Charles and "Frederick" were inseparable, whether at court balls or on hunting expeditions, the leg was always by his side.
"Frederick" was larger than Charles II's real leg, giving him the stride of a proud beast. Yet, it was extremely light and agile; with a simple press of a button on its side, it would extend and retract automatically, allowing Charles II to perform intricate dance moves with ease, becoming the center of attention at any ball. Even more astonishing, the patterns carved on the leg seemed to change according to the surroundings.
"The surface (of the leg) is sometimes covered in foliage, other times waves flow over it," described a member of the Royal Guard. Such extraordinary patterns sparked curiosity about the leg's internal structure. Regardless, everyone agreed that the leg was far from simple.
Besides its remarkable appearance, the leg possessed supernatural abilities. It was rumored that it could warn Charles II of assassination attempts and move on its own to avoid threats. It could open any door and had a charm that mesmerized both men and women. There were even rumors that the leg seemed to have a consciousness of its own, strongly influencing all of Charles' decisions.
"That's just your overactive imagination," commented another prince, "His Majesty Charles is not controlled by his leg; it's an ordinary prosthetic."
But is that really the case?
Disappearance
On February 6, 1685, the same day Charles II passed away, "Frederick" suddenly went wild, hopping and jumping about, preventing even the royal physician and guards from approaching. It twisted violently like a fish out of water, trying to break free and escape the palace. A servant claimed that the elaborate patterns on the leg emitted an eerie glow, shattering anything it illuminated, even hard stone bricks disintegrating instantly under its gaze.
Charles II's mysterious wooden leg then vanished without a trace. Over the subsequent centuries, this famous leg was sporadically sighted around the world—sometimes in slums, sometimes at royal balls. Whenever someone attempted to capture it, it would slip away. A coachman once described witnessing a bizarre scene where the leg invited a horse to dance. When the horse lifted its hoof to kick it, the leg cunningly executed a deft maneuver, causing the horse to collapse.
In the early 19th century, a sailor who claimed to have seen the leg described his experience truthfully on his deathbed. The London Leg Research Society published his account, sparking renewed discussion about the leg.
"It was in the West Indies; I saw it clearly standing on a white sandy beach…"
"It moved towards us at an incredible speed, as if possessed by Dominic-iopythais…"
"My crew and I ran as fast as we could, but it always stayed a step ahead. Just when we thought it would catch us, it suddenly turned into sand... At that moment, I swear, I saw it wiggle at us."
Another, even more bizarre account claimed that in 1788, British ambassadors in Kashmir witnessed an unusual scene during the Obse Rlea festival: a large bird swooped down from the sky, grasped the leg in its claws, and carried it into the clouds.
In conclusion, the whereabouts of the mysterious wooden leg remain shrouded in mystery, with various speculations abounding. Its ultimate fate remains an unsolved enigma.
Conclusion
After centuries of searching and research, we find ourselves increasingly entangled in the mystery of Charles II's magical wooden leg. Its traces linger around the world, yet a definitive answer eludes us. Whenever we seem close to the truth, we are thwarted by the countless intricate records of our predecessors.
Today, I can only call upon more brave leg scholars to join the quest. Perhaps one day, we will finally uncover the secrets behind this leg and reveal its true significance to the world.
Until then, let us sincerely hope: wherever "Frederick" may be, may it travel safely.