17th century, England, Europe, fooleum, historical figure, painting, portrait, primary source, Stuart
Thomas (or Tom) Killigrew (1612-83) was an actor, theatre manager and acknowledged jester to Charles II (r. 1660-85) – there is a reference in the court accounts to payments made to him for lengths of rather sumptuous cloths such as velvet and damask, explicitly...
17th century, England, English, Europe, fooleum, painting, primary source, Stuart
This early 17th century painting of two jesters and a marotte (fool’s head bauble or stick) taps into the theme of ‘Who’s the missing fool?’ in which an image posed a visual quandary. The painting is entitled ‘We three...
17th century, England, English, Europe, primary source, quotes, Stuart
This parting shot, the conclusion of a fictive quest in search of the ‘veriest fool in England’, has one of the fools name poets as being the greatest of fools, recommending they form a ‘parliament of poets’ to serve the interests of the...
17th century, dramatic character, England, English, Europe, play, primary source, quotes, Stuart
​In this play about Will Somers, the long-serving jester of Henry VIII (r. 1509-47), we have art imitating life, showing the spectrum of fiction-to-fact which a famous historical fool can encompass; Somers is not the only household name to have plays written about...
17th century, England, English, engraving, Europe, fooleum, historical figure, portrait, primary source, Stuart
Unlike the portrait of Will Somers (d. 1560) in the Psalter of Henry VIII, this engraving is posthumous, though clearly resembles those done during his lifetime. Noteworthy is the background street scene, which seems to feature people in various forms of play and...
17th century, England, Europe, fooleum, historical figure, painting, portrait, primary source, Scotland, Stuart
Thomas (Tom) Derry was a ‘natural’ fool in the service of Anne of Denmark (1574-1619), wife of James VI and I, and hence Queen of Scotland and England. Like many court fools, in particular those considered ‘naturals’ (that is, having some form...
17th century, court accounts, England, English, Europe, historical figure, primary source, quotes, Stuart
In Europe, court account books are a mine of information concerning payments, in cash and kind, made to jesters. This gives us some insight into the extent to which they could be cared for, if not downright cossetted, and some indication of their clothing, which was...
18th century, England, Europe, historical figure, primary source, quotes, Stuart
Court account books in Europe provide a rich seam of information on the material care and remuneration paid to jesters. This entry, however, is the first I have seen which amounts to an IOU. The ‘late King William’ is clearly William III (better known as...
