The English king Henry VIII, supposedly, was an intelligent and handsome man who stood over 6 feet tall. However, by the time he died prematurely in 1547, at the age of 56, he was obese, bloated and smelly; dying due to breathing problems, an infected leg and perhaps, syphilis. Even worse, Henry’s body was so putrefied that his corpse exploded in his coffin and dogs were found licking up his remains.
Henry loved to eat, which may explain his obesity. And he loved to acquire (and discard) women, which helps to explain the syphilis. But what is strange, is the stuff that these Tudor types, like Henry, fancied to eat.
Wild Boar’s Head
Henry liked dessert and his tables would be groaning with every manner of custard, pudding and sweet meat. Often, after a dinner of honeyed eels, roasted whale, or perhaps, a wild boar’s head and charred porpoise steak, he would choose a substantial helping of black pudding. Black pudding, was, of course, made of pigs intestines filled with something like oatmeal, cooked in animal's blood.
It is only a wonder that Henry could find any women to fancy him after eating such a diet, but then again, women didn’t have too much choice in those days. Off with your head!
Wheelthrone
The noted academic, David Starkey also discovered that Henry VIII used a "stairthrone", which hauled his huge body up a 20ft staircase, probably by a block and tackle system, like that which was used on his warship, the Mary Rose. Henry was also wheeled around in wheelchairs, which could be more aptly described as "wheelthrones".
Later in his life, Henry's waist expanded to a massive 52 inches, which isn't surprising considering that each day Henry ate a meal of 30 courses.
Books To Read
Forever Amber, an historical romance novel by Kathleen Winsor set in 17th-century England.
