Around 1200, medieval European cesspit toilets, known as garderobes, became common in castles and urban areas. These basic waste disposal systems utilized chutes to direct waste away from living spaces, representing an early attempt at sanitation. The development of such facilities marked a significant step in public health and hygiene, influencing later advancements in toilet design and urban planning.

Medieval European cesspit toilets, emerging around 1200, found their way into Chaucerian tales and medieval poetry, serving as sites of humor and social satire. This incorporation highlighted the relationship between bodily functions and societal norms in literary expression.