Over time, humans have devised numerous ways of making a living. Some of them are pretty straightforward and address everyday needs of society, while others are a bit more niche. That’s the case with Roland the Farter, a court jester who entertained King Henry II with his flatulence. As with most entertainers, he developed a specialty that delighted the crowds. In Roland’s case, it was his ability to pass gas. In particular, he was expected to do an annual Christmas rendition of a gassy performance called Unum saltum et siffletum et unum bumbulum — one jump and whistle and one fart — which he did simultaneously. For Roland's service to the Crown, King Henry II gave him Hemingstone Manor in Suffolk, just outside of London, as well as the surrounding 100 acres of land. Unfortunately, Roland was unable to keep royal favor, and it wasn’t long before King Henry II deemed the farting act to be indecent. As a result, he reclaimed Hemingstone Manor and the land. The existence of a professional farter like Roland wasn’t easy. His ability to make a living depended very much on gaining and then maintaining popularity. Although such patronage was not to last, for the time when he was a favorite of the King of England and getting paid in real estate, life was a real gas.
