Flushing out our secrets on the centenary of Thomas Crapper
28/01/2010
To mark the centenary of the death of Thomas Crapper, the Victorian plumber and inventor who revolutionised the nation's toilets, the National Trust is celebrating the remarkable collection of toilets in its care.
From early Roman loos and silver chamber pots to the elaborate 'thrones' of the rich and famous, Trust properties are flushing out the history of the humble lavatory.
It's a common misconception that Thomas Crapper (who died on 27 January 1910), invented the flushing toilet. He did, however, develop several innovations, such as the floating ballcock, and revolutionised public attitudes to toilets with the first bathroom showroom.
Throughout history our ancestors found ingenious ways to use them - and we apparently spend three years of our lives sitting on them - so why not come along and experience the toilet in a whole new light?
Roman affairs
The Romans viewed going to the toilet as a social affair. In the ommunal latrines at Housesteads Fort on the Hadrian's Wall Estate, Northumberland, (the ruins are the oldest toilets in the Trust's care) they would discuss the news and gossip of the day and maybe even negotiate a business deal whilst they were there. Not surprisingly, toilet paper had yet to be invented; instead a piece of sponge fixed to a short wooden handle was used and shared by everyone.
Into the moat
In the Middle Ages, the wealthy built 'garderobes', little rooms jutting out from the walls of their homes, such as Oxburgh Hall, Norfolk, which was used by King Henry VII in 1487; it now houses the secret hatch to the priests' hole that would have hidden Catholics escaping religious persecution. Garderobes, (to 'guard' the 'robes') were also used to store clothes, as the smell kept moths away. At Little Moreton Hall, Cheshire, the garderobe tower contained closets where the waste fell to a cess chamber which was flushed out by water from the moat.
Going to the 'john'
The Tudors would happily use any location, in chimneys, corners of rooms or in the street, but in 1596, Sir John Harrington invented the first water closet with a proper flush. Queen Elizabeth I was so impressed that she had a 'john' built at her palace. The close stool at Knole, Kent, upholstered in crimson velvet and with a removable pan for emptying, is believed to have been used by either Charles II or James II.
One for the ladies
It looks like a gravy boat but the 'Bourdaloue' exhibited at Coughton Court, Warwickshire, is shaped to fit the female anatomy. It is allegedly named after a Jesuit preacher called Louis Bourdaloue (1632-1704) whose sermons were apparently so long that the ladies in the congregation required something to ease the pressure on their bladders without leaving the room.
Dining with convenience
In the 1700s, the most likely place to keep your chamberpot was in the dining room, often in a sideboard. Ceramic chamber pots can still be seen stored in a cupboard at Berrington Hall, Herefordshire, and a lavish George II chamber pot, part of the finest collection of Huguenot silver in Britain at Dunham Massey, Cheshire, is an extravagant example that would have been used only by a select few.
A privy for all
As the population in towns and cities increased, the number of toilets did not, so by the 19th century, many neighbouring families would have to share an outside privy. At Peckover House, Cambridgeshire, the outdoor privy was used by the gardeners and servants rather than family members, and was painted blue, which kept the flies away. The outside lavatory in the courtyard of the Back to Backs, Birmingham is an early 20th century flushing toilet connected to the mains drainage system. Thomas Crapper and Sons acted as a free consultant in the creation of the back-to-backs and even donated some equipment.
Carried away
The 'thunderboxes' (portable toilets) at Llanerchaeron, Ceredigion, are a simple affair of wooden stalls with circular holes cut in the lid. Earth had to be shoveled in after it had been used, then the whole pit required cleaning out so the user would move along to the next hole. Castle Drogo, Devon, has over a dozen 'thunderboxes' designed by leading British architect, Sir Edwin Lutyens
Fame and fortune
Many famous posteriors have graced the toilets in Trust houses, from celebrities to Royalty. Who knows how many bestsellers were dreamed up in the bathroom at Agatha Christie's holiday home, Greenway, Devon or plays at George Bernard Shaw's home, Shaw's Corner, Hertfordshire. While at Polesden Lacey, Surrey, Edwardian society hostess Mrs Greville provided welcome relief with elaborate mahogany toilets for her guests, who included none other than King Edward VII.
But there is one famous home where you won't find a 'convenience'. He may have loved his bath, but at Clouds Hill, Dorset, 'Lawrence of Arabia', T. E. Lawrence, kept everything simple...he used the garden!
For opening times and information on all Trust properties, visit the website below.