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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.
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