Video - Quirky History of England: From Glass King to Rum Rations

Did you know that King George III of England thought he was made of glass and would shatter if touched? In the 17th century, people believed that the Great Fire of London was caused by a conspiracy involving the French and Dutch. Queen Elizabeth I of England used to have her face painted white with lead-based makeup, which eventually led to health problems. The Tower of London used to be a zoo, with exotic animals gifted to the monarchs. The Great Plague of London in 1665 led to the deaths of around 100,000 people. In the 18th century, it was common for women in England to wear dresses so wide that they couldn't fit through doorways. The British Royal Navy used to serve its sailors a daily ration of rum, known as a "tot." The world's first public zoo was opened in London in 1828. The Great Smog of London in 1952 led to the deaths of thousands due to air pollution. In the 19th century, Queen Victoria was known to have a peculiar obsession with collecting preserved animal specimens.