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,...
17th century, historical figure, Italian, Ottoman, primary source, quotes, Turkey
A detailed account of life in the Ottoman seraglio during the early years of Ahmet I’s reign (r. 1603-17) is given by Ottaviano Bon (1552-1623), the Venetian representative in the years 1604-07. He makes several references to ‘buffoons’, and to...
16th century, historical figure, primary source, quotes, Turkey, Turkish
An interesting example of a king who didn’t want a court full of mutes and dwarfs, and so had them sent away when he ascended the throne. Dwarfs in particular had some overlap with jesters, serving as close companions and providing diversion, even though it...
17th century, fooleum, Ottoman, primary source, Turkey, Turkish
There were many dwarfs and mutes at the Ottoman court, and so I was intrigued to find this painting of a dwarf from the early 17th century. There is a great deal more to be done to bring them to light (at least in Western languages) and to explore their relationship...
14th century, folk fool, primary source, quotes, stories, Turkey, Turkish
Another example of a jester interceding to mitigate cruelty or suffering. Here the legendary Nasrudin corners the great Tamerlane (1336-1405) to have him ease up on the brutality of his punishments. When the king was getting carried away doling out thrashings,...
16th century, 17th century, bibliography, English, Ottoman, research, thesis, Turkey, Turkish
This thesis gives new insights into the Ottoman court during the 16th and 17th centuries, examining the complex roles of mutes and dwarfs, including some differences between them, and some overlaps and differences between them and the archetypal court jester. As an...
