This revolting job was created during the reign of Henry VIII to assist with the most intimate of the King's matters.

The "groom of the King's close stool" was a lucky fellow whose job was to follow the King around with a portable potty (stool) and associated toiletries and assist as needed through the day. Grunt work? Maybe, but the perk of immediate access to the King made it a highly desirable position, typically filled by aristocrats. Pictured here is King George III (of American Revolution fame), who hired no less than nine separate grooms of the stool during his reign. The practice continued until the turn of the 20th century.

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