Sancho I's Obesity Cost Kingship

Medieval Europeans considered excess weight incompatible with military life, while wealthy members of the chivalric class were expected to practice restraint despite having abundant food. Tenth-century King Sancho I of Leon reportedly weighed as much as 240 kilograms and became unable to ride a horse, wield a sword, walk, or bed his wife. After he took the throne in 956, nobles led by Count Fernan Gonzalez of Castile deposed him in 958 because his extreme obesity prevented him from fulfilling his royal duties. Sancho later underwent treatment in Cordoba, lost more than 100 kilograms in 40 days, and regained his throne with military assistance in 960.

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