The legend of Beauty and the Beast has a rather fantastic plot. Therefore, it is difficult to assume that it is somehow connected with reality. But the love story of Beauty and the Beast is not fiction and not only its details are known, but also the names of the characters. There is a real miracle in it, however, it was not magic that created it, but love.
The author of the story about the love of beauty and the beast is the writer Gabrielle de Villeneuve, who lived in the 18th century. In 1740, a play called “Zemira and Azor” was even staged based on her tale.
There are many such stories in history, starting from the era of Ancient Egypt. Myths and tales about how beauties end up in the clutches of monsters or beast-like heroes are known to everyone.
But it is unlikely that Gabrielle de Villeneuve was inspired by these alien and completely fictitious plots. It is much more likely that her story was inspired by the real fate of Petrus Gonsalvus, whose life is documented in various sources.
The Royal Family Beast
Pedro Gonzalez was born in 1537 on the Spanish island of Tenerife. He was born with a rare genetic disorder called hypertrichosis, in which a person's face, and sometimes their entire body, is covered in long hair. This rare disorder has always attracted attention, and such people have attracted a lot of interest.
King of France Henry II
The unusual child was noticed by the Venetian ambassador. Pedro's parents were poor, and it was not difficult for the foreigner to buy the boy from them. The ambassador presented this curiosity as a gift to the King of France, Henry II, known for his interest in unusual people. At his court lived a whole retinue of dwarfs, hunchbacks, and other people with physical disabilities.
Henry II was not sure that the creature brought from Tenerife was a human being, and decided to test him by teaching him science and etiquette. The boy was named Petrus Gonsalvus and teachers were assigned to him. To the king's surprise, the child quickly learned everything he was taught. In a short time, he learned three languages, learned to read and write, and also mastered the exact sciences.
After Henry II's death, the throne was taken by the regent Catherine de Medici, who presented Petrus to Margaret of Parma, Stadtholder of the Netherlands. Petrus was lucky again. In his new home, he was not only loved, but also adopted. Since Margaret was the illegitimate daughter of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, Petrus became a member of the royal family – not a bad turn for the son of a Tenerife fisherman.
Beauty Catherine
Petrus Gonsalvus became an eligible bachelor, and they easily found him a bride. She was the beautiful daughter of one of the Dutch merchants named Catherine. Of course, no one asked her consent. The girl's father was happy to become related to the royal family and did not accept objections. One can only imagine how the young lady felt, married to a shaggy monster.
But this story has a happy ending. Petrus was well-mannered and had excellent manners. In addition, his ugly appearance was compensated by his kind heart. Very soon, Catherine fell in love with her husband. The couple moved to Italy, where they had seven children, four of whom inherited their father's appearance.
Petrus Gonsalvus lived a long life. The exact date and cause of his death are unknown, but historians suggest that it happened around 1618. The lack of information is easy to explain: the church categorically rejected Gonsalvus, since he was never baptized. Therefore, he was buried outside the cemetery, without records in the church books.
Tognina Gonsalvus – daughter of Petrus and Katrina
What do you think is more important – appearance or spiritual qualities?
