36. A Courtier’s Embarrassing Fart-Pas
The impact of great farts throughout history has not been limited to weird and disproportionate consequences such as the triggering of widespread mayhem, death, and destruction. They have also wrecked political careers and destroyed social standings. A prime example of that can be seen in the social faux pas, or more like fart pas, of Elizabethan era aristocrat Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford.
Reportedly, while making a deep bow to show his respect and obeisance to Queen Elizabeth I, this Earl of Oxford exploded in a huge fart. He felt so embarrassed and ashamed that he left the country for seven years. When he finally came back home, the queen’s first words upon his return to court were: “My lord, I had forgot the fart!”