The Erfurt Latrine Disaster: the grossest, yet most hilarious, way to die in the Middle Ages

Picture this: The year is 1184, and we're in the German city of Erfurt. The Holy Roman Empire, which is neither holy nor Roman nor an empire (thank you, Voltaire), is in turmoil.

To settle some disagreements, King Henry VI calls for a meeting of bishops, high-ranking officials, and nobles.

In particular, bickering between two powerful figures in the region, Ludwig III of Thuringia and Archbishop Conrad of Mainz, threatened imperial unity.

The scene is set: over 60 people gather at a church in Erfurt for a robust discussion about something important (history doesn't remember what). 

But what's a meeting without some drama?

Here's where things take a turn for the worse.

As the attendees get settled for some conflict resolution, the floor suddenly gives way, sending the VIPs crashing into the latrine beneath the hall.

Yes, you read that right—the wooden floor of the church collapsed, weakened by age and unable to support the weight of so many attendees.

Over 60 nobles and clergy members plummeted straight into a literal cesspool.

The stench must have been... well, indescribable.

According to the key source on the topic, the Chronica regia Coloniensis (Royal Chronicle of Cologne), most of them died, either by drowning to death in the sewage or suffocating from the noxious gases.

Now, before you think we're terrible for laughing at such a tragedy, let's remember that the Erfurt Latrine Disaster is almost 1,000 years old.

With centuries between us and the event, we can appreciate the absurdity of the situation.

Plus, there's a lesson in this mess: always double-check the structural integrity of your meeting venue!

But seriously, can you imagine the scene? One moment, you're sitting comfortably discussing matters of state, and the next, you're swimming in the foulest of substances.

Not only did the whole event collapse (literally), but it also left a lasting impression on history.

In fact, we're still talking about it today! The Erfurt Latrine Disaster reminds us that even the most powerful people can find themselves knee-deep in... well, you know.

We'll never know for sure how the victims of the Erfurt Latrine Disaster felt as they emerged from the cesspool, but we can't help but chuckle at the image of these dignified nobles dripping with... let's just call it "medieval muck."

The good news is that the important players in the meeting, including King Henry VI, Ludwig III and Archbishop Conrad all survived the disaster. 

Although I imagine they weren't really in the mood for resolving their differences after that interruption!