Roland the Farter

Roland the Farter (known in contemporary records as Roland le Fartere, Roulandus le Fartere, Rollandus le Pettus or Roland le Petour) was a medieval flatulist who lived in twelfth-century England. He was given Hemingstone manor in Suffolk and 12 ha of land in return for his services as a jester for King Henry II. Each year he was obliged to perform "Unum saltum et siffletum et unum bumbulum" (one jump and whistle and one fart) for the king's court at Christmas.

Roland is listed in the thirteenth-century English Liber Feodorum (Book of Fees).

Biography
There are no records of Roland's ancestors or spouse. After Roland's death, the Hemingstone Manor was passed to his son, Hubert de Afleton. Hubert had two children, Jeffery and Agnes. During the reign of King Richard I (1189–1199), Jeffery inherited the manor from his father. In the year 1205, the manor was held by Alexander de Brompton and his wife Agnes, the sister-heir of Jeffrey, granddaughter of Roland. It is true Roland performed in the courts of King Henry II, however, his association with King Henry II actually came in 1159, when King Henry II confirmed the alienation of the particular fee. Thus, it makes it unclear whether Roland only performed for King Henry II or for other prior monarchs. Other sources speculated however that King Henry I was so delighted with Roland's performance that he rewarded him a house and 99 acres in Suffolk.

Serjeanty
Roland held his manor and lands under tenure by serjeanty. According to the Liber Feodurum or Book of Fees, Roland under his serjeanty, was obligated to perform every year on Christmas, one jump, one fart and a whistle.

Roland had also received 110 acres in Suffolk, In perspective, a knight's fee was 5 hides or cacurates (varied widely), each hide was between 100 and 110 acres, putting Roland's fee at one hide. Furthermore, a farmer with a house typically held 30 acres, while those on cottages had about 5 acres, therefore it was argued that Roland's fee was indeed a "handsome" and "generous one".