In medieval England, a most unusual performer named Roland le Petour (Roland the Farter) earned his place in history through an extraordinary talent. His signature act involved performing a synchronized jump, whistle, and fart at King Henry II’s royal court each Christmas.
Roland’s performances so delighted the king that he was rewarded with a manor house and 30 acres of land in Suffolk, England – a remarkable gift that highlighted just how valued entertainment was in medieval courts. His annual Christmas performances became a beloved tradition.
While modern audiences might find such entertainment shocking, professional flatulists were respected performers in medieval times. Roland was among the most celebrated, with his talents officially recorded in the Liber Feodorum (Book of Fees), a medieval document that detailed land grants and services owed to the crown.
Sources: Liber Feodorum, “On Farting: Language and Laughter in the Middle Ages” by Valerie Allen
