Medieval Piss Pot

Handcrafted Medieval Piss Pot – Linlithgow Palace Replica

Details

This faithful replica is based on a late medieval piss pot discovered at Linlithgow Royal Palace, now held in the Historic Scotland collection. As medieval settlements grew in size and complexity, the need for improved sanitation became critical—especially to avoid outbreaks of disease.

Facilities varied by social rank: garderobes were built for royals and nobles, piss pots like this one were provided for senior courtiers, and communal toilets served the lower ranks of court life. The poorest, however, made do with the bushes.

Despite these advances, habits were still far from refined. It was not uncommon for courtiers to relieve themselves in corners, corridors, or even fireplaces. The writer Thomas Tusser, in his 1573 work Five Hundreth Pointes of Good Husbandrie, observed:

“Some make the chimnie chamber pot to smell like Filthie stink,
Yet who so bold, so soone to say,
fough, how These houses stink?”
(Hibbert, 1987, p. 201)

These pots had other uses too—urine was a valuable commodity, used in tanning leather and dyeing fabric. Entire households would contribute to the pot, which was then taken to be sold. Some believe this practice is the source of the phrase "taking the piss."

Materials
Grogged earthenware with green glaze

Dimensions
Height: Approx. 245 mm
Diameter: Approx. 145 mm

Production

This replica has been handmade in Northumberland by Potted History, based on the original artefact. It has been fired to a temperature between 800°C and 1000°C, using techniques that reflect those used by medieval potters. This traditional process results in variations in surface colour and texture, lending each pot a truly individual character.

Health & Safety
This is a museum-quality replica, made using historical tools and methods.
Although decorative, we do not recommend using this pot for its original purpose—it would become very smelly, very quickly. Best enjoyed as an intriguing conversation piece, not as a practical chamber pot.

Ordering Information
'Add to Basket' Items: Ready to ship immediately.
'Pre-order' Items: Handmade to order within 90 days (longer for international orders). If your order includes both 'Add to Basket' and 'Pre-order' items, they will be shipped together once all items are ready.

Shipping
All items are sent via second-class postal service as standard.
If you require first-class shipping, please contact us for a custom quote.
Postage Note: All items are carefully packaged to ensure they arrive in perfect condition.

A memorable piece of medieval sanitation history—perfect for collectors, reenactors, or anyone with a love of the unusual side of the past.