10th century, China, Chinese, East Asia, historical figure, primary source, quotes, Southern Tang, stories
Court jesters and dwarfs would sometimes accompany the nobles they served on their travels; among other examples, we know some of the Spanish court dwarfs travelled to Portugal with members of the royal family. In China too, the jester might go with the emperor on...
10th century, China, Chinese, East Asia, historical figure, primary source, quotes, stories, Tang dynasty
This anecdote from Sima Guang’s 11th century historical record, the Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance, gives an insight into the personal closeness that could exist between an emperor and the jester. This jester, with the engaging name of Going Round in...
16th century, Europe, fictive fool, Latin, Netherlands, primary source, quotes
Here the charming, wise and witty Lady Folly merrily explains why any king worth his salt would surround himself with fools in preference to churlish philosophers. I particularly like the idea of keeping the latter ‘for show’.Erasmus’ timeless Praise...
Arabic, fictive fool, Middle East, primary source, quotes, stories
Physical deformity was in many times and places a positive asset in a jester, as this example from the 1001 Nights demonstrates. In other contexts, mental disability could also be an asset. We will reference fools and jesters of either type as we go, and also bring to...
16th century, folk fool, historical figure, India, primary source, quotes, stories
Attributed to the Mughal Emperor Akbar (r. 1556-1605), expressing his sorrow at the death of Birbal, the poet and courtier whose wit made him morph into one of India’s superstar jesters about whom stories still circulate widely.The capacity to comfort and cheer...
