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  Wherefore Art Thou, Romeo?  

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Uploaded: 07/09/17 3:47 PM GMT
Wherefore Art Thou, Romeo?
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When I first saw this, I was reminded of Shakespeare's play. The reality, however, was much different: most castle outcroppings like this actually had holes in the floor and people used the area to relieve themselves. In fact, when the first indoor plumbing appeared in Ireland, only the servants were allowed to use it because it was considered beneath the aristocracy. The ground below such holes in the floor became quite aromatic, to be sure. But not on this day. Blarney Castle, Co. Cork, Ireland; September, 2016.

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::Nikoneer
07/09/17 8:22 PM GMT
Yes, it's called a "garderobe", and when royalty was out in the field, for a day trip or on a battle quest (and particularly if it was before they even had a castle), certain members of the royal guard were responsible for standing in a circle, facing outward, and holding an oversized robe to create a wall, while the royal personage took a dump inside, in private (but we all knew what they were doing in there, right?). Those men were also called "garderobes". Not a job I would want but, luckily for them, royal poo didn't stink back then. Hmmmmmm.

Garderobes like the one you have here, Ted, were so frequently used around the castle of Britain's Tower of London that when the moat was going to be filled in, it was because the stench was making people sick, even sending approx. 50 of the King's soldiers to hospital. The foul sludge was dug out (another job I wouldn't want) and transported to Battersea and used for fertilizer.

Thanks for this slice of reality, Ted.

-Nik
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If you've ever wanted to make a difference but found it hard to believe that one person could... check out the Kiva Team Caedes discussion thread and discover that anything is possible.
::tigger3
07/09/17 10:14 PM GMT
I could almost see Rapunzel up there also. :) Good textures in this one that is for sure. Good information from both you and Nik. Sounds disgusting but it was the real deal back in the day. tigs=^..^=
3∈ [?]
Nature in all her glory is my uplift on life and so is my love of photography. sandi ♪ ♫

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