From Martin Luther’s 1545 “Depictions of the Papacy”, here we have German peasants expressing their distaste for the fire and brimstone preaching of Pope Paul III by farting directly into it. Now, that seems potentially dangerous, as brimstone is mostly sulfur and already quite noxious, and the flammability of German flatulence (often cabbage-based) is well documented. Despite that, the early Protestants took the risk, evidently expelling their nether-gasses directly into the papal bull itself. A papal bull was a particular sort of letter used by the pope to communicate his wishes, blessings, or policy changes to an area he likely couldn’t be bothered to visit. The Lutherans, not caring for this, sent him back an envelope full of stench.
That is all.
RJC
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