History is full of strange jobs, from professional mourners to those who wiped the butts of royalty.
In this article, let’s take a quick look at these jobs and ponder what their lives might have been like.
1. Professional Mourners
In the Victorian era, professional mourners, were hired to attend funerals and grieve for the deceased. Mutes were hired to look sorrowful. Dressed in black, they would stand watch outside the home of the deceased and would often lead the funeral procession. Depending on the family’s wealth, professional mourners would also be hired to add volume to the funeral procession.
2. Resurrectionist/Body Snatcher
During the 18th and 19th centuries, there was a high demand for cadavers for anatomical study, but the supply was limited. As such, resurrectionists or body snatchers would dig up freshly buried corpses and sell them to medical schools, private doctors, and anyone who wanted a dead body. They were not picky about their clients.
3. Groom of the Stool
This was a role in the royal court of England during the Middle Ages, responsible for assisting the king in his toileting needs. Despite the unpleasant nature of the task, the Groom of the Stool was a highly coveted position, mainly because it allowed unparalleled intimate access to the king, thus providing the opportunity to influence him.
4. Knocker-Up
Before the advent of reliable alarm clocks, people were hired to ensure others woke up on time. These “knocker-ups” would use long sticks, soft hammers, or even pea shooters to tap on clients’ windows at the desired wake-up time.
5. Leech Collector
In the 19th century, when leeches were used for bloodletting – a common medical treatment – people were employed to collect them. Leech collectors would wade into leech-infested waters with their legs exposed, allowing the creatures to attach themselves. The leeches were then plucked off and sold to barbers and medical practitioners.
