Odd Details About Life In Old Royal Palaces That Are Leaving People In Awe

When we look back on the great kings and queens throughout history, we picture them as elegant, refined, and glamorous. But even royals weren’t above some of the more unsavory living standards of their times. These dirty details of life in the royal palaces demonstrate just how grotesque things could get — even in the halls of some of the noblest rulers in history.

Dirty Times

The 16th and 17th centuries were the beginnings of the most massive population boom in human history, leading to more than a few sanitation problems. Even the most powerful royals of the era couldn’t escape the squalid conditions.

Fighting the Filth

Historian Alison Weir noted that Henry VIII of England “waged a constant battle against the dirt, dust, and smells that were unavoidable when so many people lived in one establishment.” Most of the filth came from a few "hot spots."

Chamber Pot Problems

Of course, chamber pots were the main filth peddlers. Even kings and queens had to use unsanitary pots, as modern plumbing had not been invented yet. The second best option was even more unthinkable.

In the Open

When chamber pots were not readily available, courtesans would openly relieve themselves in stairwells, hallways, and even fireplaces. As a result, Henry VIII’s palace often reeked of human feces.