16th century, Europe, fictive fool, fooleum, German, Germany, primary source, woodcut
The latest in our series of fools peeping through their fingers, this one is a woodcut by Heinrich Vogtherr the Younger (1513-68), dated to around 1540 and so slightly later than the preceding paintings on the same theme.  He has the cap and bells complete with ass...
20th century, dramatic character, Europe, German, Germany, primary source, quotes
An early 20th century German play highlights the twin identity playing out in each of us. Ah, if we were but wise enough to see it.  Und doch nenn ich sofort euch zwei GestaltenDie unbotmäßig in euch allen walten:Ein kleiner König und ein grosser Tor.And yet I name...
16th century, German, Germany, historical figure, primary source, quotes, stories
There are many accounts of jesters intervening to rein in the crapulence of the king. In this case the curiously named Peter Bearskin (Peter Bärenhaut), jester to Landgrave Philip the Magnanimous of Hesse (1509-67), cured ruler-boozing by encouraging him to take a...
16th century, Europe, folk fool, German, Germany, medieval, Poland, primary source, quotes, stories
Till Eulenspiegel is a folk fool and trickster whose exploits were recounted across Europe and translated into multiple languages. He moved freely, sometimes as a jester, sometimes a wandering rogue. There are cheeky children’s tales about him and then more...
20th century, Europe, fictive fool, Germany, Hebrew / Yiddish, primary source, quotes, stories
From a late 20th century novel set in a concentration camp, the story highlights the fearlessness (or recklessness) of court fool types, including in this case, dwarfs. Here a character alludes to the ease with which a dwarf might hide under a table and, in knowing...
bibliography, book, canon, England, Europe, folk fool, France, German, Germany, Greece, historical figure, Italy, primary source, research, Russia, Spain, Turkey
Published in 1789, Flögel’s hefty 500+ page history of court jesters is breathtaking in its scope and scholarship; arguably the first serious such sweeping study in any Western language. It is the well-spring from which many subsequent leading works draw,...
16th century, 17th century, bibliography, Europe, Germany, journal paper, research
This short paper describes and reflects on an intriguing German engraving (c. 1600) by an unknown artist, which features a Large Head of a Jester and an inscription beneath.Wearing a traditional jester’s cap, complete with coxcomb and bells, and various badges,...
16th century, 17th century, engraving, Europe, fooleum, German, Germany, primary source, print
This intriguing German engraving (c. 1600) features a Large Head of a Jester and an inscription beneath. Â Wearing a traditional jester’s cap complete with coxcomb and bells, and various badges, it stands out for both the curious lip-biting stance and the...
