Henry VI, King of Germany
Came to settle disputes—an admirable mix.
But beneath the nobles debating with pride
The castle floor suddenly opened wide.
The gathering took place in Erfurt’s tower hall,
Where bishops and lords answered the royal call.
Yet the beams broke loose with a thunderous clatter—
Dropping them straight into the castle’s… matter.
The pit below was the castle latrine,
A fate both dreadful and strangely obscene.
Some drowned outright in the dreadful mire,
Ending a quarrel in muck far dire.
Henry survived by clutching a stone ledge high,
Watching the chaos from safely nearby.
Thus history notes with grim irony’s grin:
A court debate that collapsed from within.
-
Author:
Matthew R. Callies (
Offline) - Published: March 10th, 2026 06:48
- Comment from author about the poem: This poem is about the Erfurt latrine disaster which took place in 1184. For more context visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erfurt_latrine_disaster
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 8
- Users favorite of this poem: sorenbarrett, Tristan Robert Lange
- In collections: 🔥Trending🔥, Footnotes to History.
Offline)
Comments3
Clever wordsmithing and rhyme make this a wonderful poem and to cap it all off the story itself and the irony involved make it a fave
Honestly I had no idea that politician's arguments over shit had such a glorious antecedent.
Many thanks Mathew for dragging me out of a well of ignorance (thankfully fairly clean down there).
I enjoyed the write.
Matthew, this one made me laugh out loud…history has no business being this absurd, yet here we are. The poem walks that fine line between courtly dignity and absolute farce, and the contrast makes it land beautifully. A medieval debate ending like this…you truly cannot make it up. Brilliantly done, my friend. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
To be able to comment and rate this poem, you must be registered. Register here or if you are already registered, login here.