1st century, correspondence, Europe, historical figure, Italy, Latin, primary source, quotes
In a letter to Lucilius, Seneca comments unfavourably on his wife’s fool and on fools in general. He then goes on to tell us that Harpaste became blind and, revealing her foolishness, she asked her attendant to move her to other quarters as hers had become...
16th century, correspondence, Europe, historical figure, Italian, Italy, primary source, quotes, stories
Antonio da Trento, known as Nanino (Little Dwarf), belonged to the court of the Marquis of Mantua. There is a letter written in dialect in 1495 from Nanino to the Marquis, Francesco II Gonzaga (1466-1519). In a letter dated 24 July 1512, from the Marquis to the...
16th century, correspondence, England, Europe, French, historical figure, primary source, quotes, stories
Occasionally a jester hit a raw nerve in their mockery and would then go into hiding until the royal wrath cooled. In this case, Sexton, a jester of Henry VIII (r. 1509-47) is said to have mocked both Anne Boleyn and her daughter. In July 1535, Eustace Chapuys (c....
16th century, correspondence, Europe, historical figure, Italian, Italy, primary source, quotes, stories
Many court fools were considered ‘naturals’, having some form of mental disability or neurodiversity. This letter gives examples of the behaviour of a female dwarf known as Caterina Matta (Crazy Catherine) who served Isabella d’Este (1474-1539),...
17th century, correspondence, England, Europe, historical figure, primary source, quotes, stories
A curious and detailed note from Robert Cecil, Earl of Salisbury (1563-1612), a close advisor to James I, and son of an even closer advisor to Elizabeth I, William Cecil. Here he has to deal with a diplomatic issue which he’d rather not have to, as he takes...
16th century, Europe, historical figure, Italy, primary source, quotes
Federico II Gonzaga, Marquis of Mantua (1500-40) and son of Isabella d’Este (1474-1539), loaned the priest-jester Fra Stephano to a Duke Alfonso who wrote a letter on 14th November 1525 to:… cordially thank you for the great service rendered to me by such...
18th century, Europe, France, French, historical figure, primary source, quotes, stories
Folly, as Shakespeare taught us, can be used as a stalking horse, providing useful cover so that you can launch arrows of wit or criticism without too much risk of reprisal. A number of jesters ‘faked’ folly the better to enjoy the freedoms it could...
16th century, Europe, fooleum, historical figure, primary source, quotes, Spain, Spanish
This painting depicts the Spanish Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia (1566-1633), Archduchess of Austria, in an affectionate pose with the dwarf natural Madalena Ruiz. Â Madalena was at court for some forty years from 1565, and is mentioned a number of times in letters...
