Reginald III

Reginald III, also known as ‘The Fat’, was the Duke of Guelders and Count of Zutphen from 1343 to 1361 and then again in 1371. He was the progeny of Reginald II of Guelders and Eleanor of Woodstock, the daughter of Edward II of England. Upon his father’s demise in 1343, his mother Eleanor took over as regent until the following year. A conflict of succession erupted between Reginald and his brother Edward starting in 1350, culminating in Reginald’s defeat and subsequent imprisonment at the castle of Nijenbeek.

His incarceration led to his considerable weight gain, to the extent that he was unable to leave his confinement even with an open door. Edward’s death in August 1371, due to injuries from the Battle of Baesweiler, precipitated Reginald’s release, which required alterations to the castle structure for his exit. His second tenure as Duke was brief, as he passed away within a few months. Reginald’s burial was at Graefenthal Abbey. Without legitimate heirs, the ducal succession was contested by his sisters Mathilde and Maria, sparking the War of the Succession of Guelders.