Imagine a life without flushing toilets, running water, or even basic sanitation. That was the reality for people in the Middle Ages. While castles and manors might conjure images of grandeur, the truth is, medieval waste disposal was a far cry from glamorous. Let’s take a plunge into the fascinating, and perhaps slightly unpleasant, world of medieval toilets.

A Hole in the Wall (Literally):

Unlike modern toilets, medieval ones were nothing more than a simple wooden seat with a hole leading to a waste chute. These “garderobes,” as they were often called, could be found tucked away in chambers within castle walls or attached to houses. The waste chute would typically empty outdoors, into a moat, or into a cesspool, depending on the location and resources available.

Keeping Out the Wrong Kind of Guests:

Imagine using the restroom and having to worry about an enemy soldier climbing in through the waste chute! Believe it or not, this was a genuine concern during medieval times. Castles were often under siege, and garderobes were seen as potential security weaknesses. For this reason, these “thrones” were often built high off the ground, making them inaccessible to unwanted visitors.

Beyond the Basics:

While the overall design of garderobes remained fairly consistent throughout the Middle Ages, there were some variations. Wealthier individuals might have had more elaborate set-ups, with multiple chambers or even running water (a rare luxury). However, for the most part, these were basic necessities, designed purely for function rather than comfort.