King Adolf Frederick Of Sweden
King Adolf Frederick.Wikimedia Commons
As far as unusual deaths for monarchs go, King Adolf Frederick of Sweden may literally take the cake.
Adolf Frederick reigned over Sweden from 1751 to 1771 during the Age of Liberty; a prosperous age when the people of Sweden saw their civil rights increase and enjoyed an era of peace. But it doesn’t matter how much peace and prosperity he brought, as the king who ate himself to death, how could he be known for anything else?
It was Feb. 12, 1771, Shrove Tuesday, which is also known as Fat Tuesday. It was the last day to indulge before Lent when Frederick would be expected to fast and give up luxuries for six long weeks. He was hardly the only person to throw one last blow-out feast before Lent — but as king, he could take indulgence to a whole new level.
For his first course, Frederick started off with a meal of lobster, caviar, kippers, sauerkraut, boiled meats, and turnips. The king had a large appetite, so he wasn’t quite satisfied after that hefty meal. He decided to indulge a little bit further with some champagne and the traditional Swedish sweet buns called Semlas.
Pumbster/Wikimedia CommonsA Swedish semla.
Semlas also happened to be Frederick’s favorite dessert. Instead of eating the normal amount of around four, the king polished off 14 servings of the treats. He made them extra rich by eating them from a bowl with hot milk, cinnamon, and raisins.
After the excessive feast, Frederick decided that he had finally had enough. He developed severe digestive problems after his meal and died the same day. He is forever remembered in the history books as the king who ate himself to death.
