Surviving the Middle Ages: How to Use a Medieval Toilet

One thing has never changed throughout history. The basic need for humans to go to the toilet. It was pretty easy for those living in the countryside who could just go squat behind a bush. Things were a little different in the more urban areas though. Those who had enough money could afford themselves a personal privy. But for the common people, answering the call of nature in a public space was prohibited. In 1339 a small child, who was begging, was killed on a London street, by a cart, as he squatted to take care of business. In the public records, he was described as a ‘savage’. So what did the Medievals do when they needed to make a special delivery?