Roland the Farter, or Roland le Petour, was a 12th-century jester known for his comedic acts involving flatulence. He captivated the court of King Henry II, and his performances earned him entitlements uncommon for someone of his social status.
In exchange for performing a simultaneous jump, whistle, and fart for the king each Christmas, Roland was awarded a manor house and 30 acres of land in Suffolk. Little else is known about his life, but it’s evident that he was a royal favorite.
Despite the restrictions on women’s political participation, there were some women in ancient Rome who were able to make their voices heard. One example of this is Hortensia, a woman who delivered a powerful speech in 42 BC. In her speech, she argued against a tax that was being imposed on women.
Her speech was remarkable because it was one of the few examples of a woman speaking out in public in ancient Rome. Her oration was not only a protest against the specific tax in question but also a challenge to the gender dynamics of the Roman Republic.
But did he keep him out of Heaven?Spoiler: No, he didn't.
Evernote Link because free subscription requiredA strange tale of King Cnut's femur, ancient DNA, religious belief on bodies and souls, and a debate over what constitutes a person after death.
If you spend enough time with medieval monks, it may seem that they thought about sex, a lot. Of course, many of those who chose a religious life were intensely devoted to their beliefs, way of life, and commitment to God, but if the historical evidence has shown us anything, it is that sex was a troubling matter both in and out of the cloth. Whilst women who loved women are more difficult to find in the archives and literature than their male counterparts, they are nevertheless there, and did plague the mind of many a monk or preacher. But what if the preaching monk in question toed the line between hypocrisy and hope for the salvation of the sinners?