The history of monarchies across the globe is peppered by conflict, opulence and political intrigue. Throughout their reigns monarchs have controlled the prospects of their courtiers and the fashion of their time. Usual monarchs influenced the zeitgeist by giving patron to certain artist or introduction new fashions and food, however this post will show how some monarchs influenced their times through their own bottom.
Louis XIV, known as the Sun King, ruled France from 1643 until his death in 1715 reigning for an astonishing 72 years. Louis led France into an absolutist monarchy in which he was the supreme authority in the land answerable to no person but God. This demigod, who’s reign was ordained by God himself still suffered from worldly illness. When Louis was a child he suffered from small pox, a common disease, and other ailments such as measles, colds and gout. At the age of 47 Louis began to experience pain and after a period of increasing pain it was found the King had a fistula. A fistula is a small tunnel that develops between the end of the bowel and the skin near the anus. The pain grew meaning Louis could no longer sit or walk very far, unknown to most of his courtiers. Eventually Charles- Francois Tassy a barber surgeon decided that the fistula should be cut, a dangerous operation especially with the threat of infection. After a period of practice on animals and reluctant prisoners, Tassy performed the procedure under no anaesthetics on the King using homemade implements. (See images)
The king survived the procedure and by three months was back to riding around Versailles. Bizarrely, having a fistula and having the royal operation became extremely fashionable in the French court, whether people had one or not. Some courtiers even took to wearing bandages around their rear, just like the King. Charles Francois Tassy was the new star at court, presented with gifts of land and money from the king but also most importantly raising the profile of physicians and the position throughout France.
Royal Patronage was always crucial for members of court to rise in the world either with greater titles, responsibilities or more alluring positions. Henry VIII is possible one of England’s greatest known monarchs, especially for his love life which culminated in having six wives. Henry did however create a royal position that offered a large amount of one on one time with the king which could mean a gentleman could gain the kings trust and put his personal interests directly to the monarch. The Groom of the Kings Close Stool, shortened to Groom of the Stoll was a position where the King appointed a man to monitor his meals and organise the necessities around his predicted bowl movements. The Groom of the stool would also be responsible with helping the monarch undress so that they could relieve themselves and ensure that there was water, towels and a wash bowl for the monarchs use. It is commonly believed that the Groom would clean the Royal behind, however there is no evidence for this.
Ultimately the position of the Groom of the Stool was a much sought after position due to high salary but more for its personal contact with the king. A Groom of the Stool under King George III, John Stuart, went on to be Prime Minister under the patronage of his king. Incredibly the position continued until 1901 when Edward VII abolished the position. Ultimately for nearly 400 years, it paid to be close to the monarch’s toilet.
Images- The implements used to cut Louis XIV fistula.
Images taken from, Garry Littman, ‘The Royal fistula that changed the face of surgery’, Bilman, <http://www.bilan.ch/garry-littman/english-room/royal-fistula-changed-face-surgery>
Sources
AuroraVonG, ‘The Royal Fistula’, Party Like 1660, <http://partylike1660.com/the-royal-fistula/>
Ben Johnson, ‘Groom of the Stool’, HISTORIC UK, <http://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofBritain/Groom-of-the-Stool/>
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