Bathroom Breaks in Regency England

The little girls I watch recently asked if Princesses ever go to the bathroom, which got me thinking of Regency England. We know everyone goes to the bathroom and yet in books unless it’s non-fiction, we never write about it. Why would we? But there are interesting facts that I thought I’d write on my blog instead of in my books.

After a long dinner, the women would withdraw from the dining room or hall. Thereby, the room they went into was given the name of the withdrawing room. Later, it was shortened to just the drawing room. However, when they left, it was also to use the chamber pots ie bathroom in their rooms or in a room assigned for this purpose for the guests. Then the women would meet again in the drawing room. 

The men also took a bathroom break, however, they did not leave the dining room. Chamber pots were brought in with port and cigars. A bit disgusting, especially for the servants who had to remove these pots from the room after the men finished. 

Back to the beginning, I told the little girls, of course, they go to the bathroom, but they do it when no one is looking.