Ko-fi The Queen’s Chair remains one of the most macabre historical items to ever emerge from the region of Transylvania, dating back to the reign of King Vladislav Aldea in the early 15th century. Local writings record Vladislav as a mild, ineffectual ruler who deferred much of his authority to several powerful women in his court. So submissive was he that, legend states, he wished to be used by them, not even as a person, but as an object.

His deranged predilections culminated when he ordered his men to sow himself into a chair, such that his mistress, Lady Nicoleta might use him as such. The lady went one further than that, gagging the king once he was sealed within the item of furniture and having him transported to the royal court, where he was installed as a throne. Her throne.

Seating herself upon Vladislav, she declaring the man mentally and spiritually incapable of ruling - an argument few in the court could argue against as they looked upon the perverted king squirming within his fabric prison - she proclaimed herself regent, ruling in his name.

The story was believed mere fairytale until restoration works in 1996 uncovered a startling secret beneath the velvet lining of the transylvanian throne - a human skeleton almost fused into the wood. Carbon dating matched the date of the king’s rule, while examination has discovered parts of the skeleton replaced with gilding and gemstones, suggesting Lady Nicoleta may have had her ‘throne’ modified during her reign, permanently incorporating the king into it.

It is unclear how long King Vladislav survived as a throne for his mistress. She passed away after 20 years of tyrannical rule, succeeded by her daughter and subsequently her granddaughter after.

Today, the seat is one of Transylvania’s most popular tourist attraction, with many young women posing for selfies upon the grisly artefact. One can’t help but wonder if the King would be delighted or horrified at his ultimate fate.