Flatulence, an age-old source of amusement has been appreciated throughout history, spanning the oldest recorded joke in Sumeria, jests in Athenian plays, Shakespearean wit, and even medieval storytelling. Farts, it seems, have always had universal comedic appeal.
The historical figure Roland the Farter, who entertained the English courts in the 12th century, stands out for his unique ability to execute his act with such mastery that King Henry II rewarded him with a manor house in Hemingstone, Suffolk, and over 100 acres of land.
Roland the Farter ascended to the King’s court through his unusual talents, reaping various benefits in the process, with his farting ability making him famous.
Every Christmas, amidst the royal court’s chaotic pageantry, he was obliged to perform a dance that culminated with “one jump, one whistle, and one fart”, or “unum saltum et siffletum et unum bumbulum”.
The historical account of Roland remains rather elusive, but it is likely grounded in truth. Valerie Allen, a literature professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, conducted a thorough examination of Roland’s narrative in her 2007 publication, ‘On Farting: Language and Laughter in the Middle Ages.’
According to Allen, Roland’s exact timeline is a subject of uncertainty. He may have initially served under the reign of King Henry I and subsequently under King Henry II. While historical records from that era offer insights into the nature of his remuneration and the services he rendered, specific dates are conspicuously absent.
Subsequently, another monarch, ostensibly King Henry III, appeared to be less entertained by Roland’s peculiar talent. On the premise that the performance was “indecent,” the Crown reclaimed his land and manor.
This timeline, however, suggests that Roland entertained the royal court with his extraordinary act for a duration exceeding 120 years. The precise details of Roland’s history, including which of the Henrys he served, continue to be shrouded in historical ambiguity.
Nevertheless, Roland’s narrative continues to intrigue, with Allen emphasising his enduring popularity as a figure. Over the course of the past nine centuries, successive historians and chroniclers have relished recounting the tale of Roland the Farter.
In the Middle Ages, the act of flatulence held a more complex significance than in contemporary times. Similar to the present day, Valerie Allen acknowledges that much of the humour associated with farting stemmed from the apprehension surrounding uncontrollable bodily functions, serving as a comical reminder that nobody, not even the most eminent figures in feudal society, was exempt from these human experiences.
However, medieval attitudes towards farting encompassed a more sombre and philosophical dimension that may not be as readily apparent today. Gas, Allen explains, “is the product of decomposition, so morally, theologically, a lot of the writers in the Middle Ages saw it as the mark of death.”
The prevailing view was that flatulence and excrement constituted daily reminders of human mortality and sinfulness, underscoring the transient nature of human existence.
(With information from Atlas Obscura / Picture by Discarding Images)