Toileting in Skirts among Medieval European Noblewomen

It is true that some noblewomen in medieval Europe did relieve themselves within their skirts, but this was not a widespread habit and came with numerous issues.

Reasons for this behavior

• Clothing restrictions: At that time, noblewomen's clothing was extremely complex, consisting of multiple layers of hooped petticoats, corsets, and floor-length gowns. Not only was the process of getting dressed cumbersome, but the overall weight was substantial. This clothing design made it extremely difficult for them to bend over or squat down as easily as ordinary people, making normal toileting a great challenge. For example, the rigid structure of the hooped petticoats restricted the range of body movement, while the corset tightly bound the waist and abdomen, further impeding natural body movements.
• Etiquette constraints: Court etiquette was extremely strict. In important social occasions such as banquets and balls, a noblewoman leaving the event midway to use the toilet would be regarded as a serious breach of etiquette. To maintain their image and status, they had to find alternative ways to address their physiological needs to avoid drawing attention and gossip from others.

Solutions

Maids would discreetly hand over small portable chamber pots, such as "bourdaloue" and "papa pots". The noblewoman would stand still and allow the chamber pot to be inserted under her skirt to complete the excretion process. Due to the wide skirt, it provided a certain degree of concealment, making it difficult for outsiders to notice what they were doing.

Problems

• Hygiene issues: This method brought about numerous hygiene hazards, such as urine leakage and fecal residue. Urine might seep into the multiple layers of petticoats, making the clothing damp and emitting an unpleasant odor. Fecal residue was even harder to clean, easily breeding bacteria and causing diseases.
• Real-life example: In 1399, Queen Anne of England had all three of her underskirts completely soaked with urine during a court ball because she was unwilling to leave. This emitted a strong odor and served as a typical example, fully demonstrating the embarrassment and inconvenience that this solution could cause in practice. Moreover, the situation of defecating in skirts cannot be generalized, as many rumors have exaggerated special cases into common habits.