16th century, England, English, Europe, historical figure, primary source, quotes, stories
‘Begging’ a fool meant taking in a person considered incapable of handling their own affairs, and acting as their guardian. So far, so magnanimous. However, this practice, while potentially offering a degree of care and protection for a...
16th century, dramatic character, England, English, Europe, primary source, quotes
Here Lear’s fool gives advice that could by usefully followed by most of us. I also like his willingness to take back his advice if you happen to find a better source of wisdom. Which of course you know you won’t, at least if you’ve read your...
15th century, 16th century, English, Europe, historical figure, primary source, quotes, Scotland
The feigning of folly could be profitable and in 15th century Scotland it appears there was enough of it going on to prompt a law prohibiting it. This and similar constraints were repeated in the parliamentary records for another 150 years or so; I have found such...
16th century, English, folk fool, India, primary source, quotes, stories
There are many stories of Indian jesters getting the better of Brahmins, often exposing their greed in the process. Note that the stock clown character of Sanskrit drama, the Vidusaka, was himself a Brahmin, as well as being a jester (some disagree with me on this,...
19th century, East Asia, English, historical figure, primary source, quotes, stories
In an account of Anna Leonowens’ (1831-1915) time as governess at the court of King Mongkut of Siam (r. 1851-68), there is a reference to the recruitment and training of a dwarf-jester, Nai-Teh (Mr. Little), demonstrating the ad hoc way people came to be court...
16th century, England, English, Europe, historical figure, primary source, quotes, stories
An anecdotal (or perhaps just fictive) account of how an historical jester was ‘interviewed’ by the king. Will Somers was indeed fool to Henry VIII (r. 1509-47) and appears in a family portrait of Henry. In this exchange he doesn’t hesitate to poke...
16th century, English, Europe, folk fool, primary source, quotes, Scotland
A fine story-telling version of the many tales about George Buchanan, celebrating him as the king’s fool. Buchanan (1506-82) is one of those tricky characters who begin life as an historical, living person and somehow, over centuries, morph into a jester of...
17th century, England, English, Europe, historical figure, primary source, quotes, stories
One class of stories about jesters concerns their capacity to make the king concentrate on doing his job rather than being distracted by perhaps more pleasurable activities. Thomas (Tom) Killigrew (1612-83) was a courtier-jester, as well as being a theatre manager...
