The king's butt cleaner
A King couldn’t be expected to clean his own behind. That is where a special servant came in. His official title was Groom of the King’s Close Stool. This was an official job since before the 1500s up to the Victorian Era. Since this employee was so intimate with the king, he would become close with the monarch. Sometimes, they confided in this servant more than others.
The Groom Of The Stool was the most powerful position in England next to the king himself. And by next to I mean behind. Right behind. The royal behind. You see, the king could not be expected to poop unattended and was certainly not going to wipe his own butt. That was the groom's job. And not just anybody could have this job you see – the king was thought to rule by holy mandate. His body was sacred – only noble could touch it at all. And to touch the king when he was at his most vulnerable, and in quite the vulnerable spot, was quite the luxury.
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