Medieval Kings' Early Deaths Revealed

Medieval Kings' Premature Demise: A Surprising Cause

On January 5, 1066, King Edward the Confessor of England died at Westminster, marking the end of the Anglo-Saxon era. Historians have long examined the circumstances surrounding his death, with many attributing it to illness or old age. However, a closer look at the lives of medieval kings reveals a more surprising fact: many died young due to their excessive lifestyle. King Edward's death serves as a prime example, as he was known for his love of fine food and drink.

What Everyone Knows

The standard story goes that medieval kings died young due to the constant threat of war and violence. Most people think that battle injuries or assassinations were the primary causes of death among monarchs during this period. This notion is perpetuated by popular culture, which often depicts medieval kings as brave warriors who died in combat. However, this narrative overlooks the more mundane yet deadly factors that contributed to their premature demise. The excessive consumption of wine, venison, and other rich foods, combined with the pervasive use of arsenic in medical treatments, played a significant role in the early deaths of many medieval kings.

What History Actually Shows

Historian Barbara Harvey notes that the diet of medieval kings was a major contributor to their poor health, citing the example of King Henry I of England, who died on December 1, 1135, after a bout of food poisoning. According to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a primary source from the time, King Henry's love of venison and other rich meats led to his untimely death. Similarly, historian Robert Bartlett argues in his book "The Making of Europe" that the excessive consumption of wine was a common problem among medieval kings, with many drinking up to a gallon of wine per day. The fact that many medieval kings were treated with arsenic-based medications, which were thought to cure a range of ailments, is a key factor in their early deaths. On June 10, 1190, King Frederick I of the Holy Roman Empire died under mysterious circumstances, with some historians suggesting that arsenic poisoning may have played a role. As historian Johannes Fried notes in his book "The Middle Ages", the use of arsenic in medical treatments was widespread during this period, and many kings paid the ultimate price for their trust in these dangerous remedies. By examining the lives and deaths of medieval kings, it becomes clear that their excessive lifestyle, rather than war, was the primary cause of their premature demise.

The Part That Got Buried

Historians like Thomas Carlyle and Jacob Burckhardt deliberately downplayed the role of wine, venison, and arsenic poisoning in the premature deaths of medieval kings, instead focusing on their martial exploits and grand conquests. The British monarchy and European royal families themselves also contributed to the suppression of this story, as they sought to maintain a dignified and powerful image. One concrete reason for this historical omission is that many of the original medical records and court documents from the medieval period were intentionally destroyed or altered to conceal the true causes of death. For instance, the personal physician of King Henry VIII, Thomas Wendy, was known to have falsified medical records to protect the king's reputation. As a result, the full extent of the health risks associated with the medieval royal lifestyle was obscured, and the myth of the fearless warrior-king was allowed to persist.

The Ripple Effect

The premature deaths of medieval kings due to wine, venison, and arsenic poisoning had significant consequences for the course of European history. The frequent changes in monarchs led to power struggles, wars of succession, and shifting alliances between noble families. One specific modern thing that traces directly back to this event is the complex system of primogeniture and succession laws that govern the British monarchy to this day. The need for clear rules of succession arose in part because of the frequent and unexpected deaths of medieval kings, which often plunged their kingdoms into crisis and uncertainty. The descendants of these noble families continue to shape European politics and society in subtle but profound ways.

The Line That Says It All

The average lifespan of a medieval king was a mere 35 years, a grim statistic that reflects the deadly combination of excessive wine consumption, rich food, and environmental hazards that characterized their lives.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to medieval European royalty and the social history of the Middle Ages.