The Face-Palming Woman
Last year when lixia84 and Amelia came to visit, we took them to Helmsley Castle and had a massive laugh at one of the paintings illustrating medieval castle life. Unfortunately no photos were taken of this hilarious picture or the gigantic pak choi in the diorama of the castle kitchens.
Last weekend, for the first time in over a year, we returned to Helmsley Castle in the company of sandrine, who was of course Most Anxious to see this amazing picture. Fortunately she had her camera and was able to take a photo of this incredible piece of art!
The painting is on an information panel in a 12th century tower on the side of what is now a Tudor manor house, and originally it housed the garderobes. However, we were more interested in the Face-Palming Woman's plight than in the architecture. After much discussion, we decided that she is either overcome by the stench emanating from the garderobe or - more likely - she's in a hurry to use the facilities and has just realised that she's forgotten the toilet paper.
Further evidence that this latter hypothesis is correct was found in the next room, which contained a picture of a man creeping in a corridor, clearly also in search of the toilet paper.
Medieval life was harsh, man.
Last weekend, for the first time in over a year, we returned to Helmsley Castle in the company of sandrine, who was of course Most Anxious to see this amazing picture. Fortunately she had her camera and was able to take a photo of this incredible piece of art!
The painting is on an information panel in a 12th century tower on the side of what is now a Tudor manor house, and originally it housed the garderobes. However, we were more interested in the Face-Palming Woman's plight than in the architecture. After much discussion, we decided that she is either overcome by the stench emanating from the garderobe or - more likely - she's in a hurry to use the facilities and has just realised that she's forgotten the toilet paper.
Further evidence that this latter hypothesis is correct was found in the next room, which contained a picture of a man creeping in a corridor, clearly also in search of the toilet paper.
Medieval life was harsh, man.