The Groom of the Stool’s Job Was to Talk to the King on the Toilet
A lot of people like to occupy themselves when they’re on the toilet by either reading a magazine or scrolling through their phone. Throughout history, there wasn’t much for people to do while they pooped. From the 1500’s to the 1700’s, British Kings appointed servants called the “Groom of the Stool” to talk with them while they sat on the toilet. Believe it or not, this was a highly coveted position in the royal court. They were able to talk to the King on a daily basis, and give advice when it came to important matters in the kingdom. Of course, it was also part of the job to make sure the King’s velvet-lined toilet stool was clean and ready for him to use. They also had to help the King bathe, get dressed, and even worked on some secretarial duties throughout the day.