19th century, Europe, folk fool, gallery, Germany, medieval, primary source
Till Eulenspiegel was a medieval European hit as far as folk fools go. Stories about this fictitious impish character circulated in many languages. His name – Owlglass – hints at the role of fools in holding a mirror up to our pompous selves, mocking all...
19th century, Europe, fictive fool, Hungarian, Hungary, primary source, quotes, stories
This is from a superb and absorbing trilogy which chronicles the self-induced decline of the Hungarian aristocracy in the years leading to the First World War. The author was describing his own class and its disappearing world, with insight, realism, compassion,...
15th century, Europe, historical figure, Italian, Italy, primary source, quotes, stories
A charming moment described by Galeazzo da San Severino (c. 1460-1525) in a letter to Isabella d’Este (1474-1539), in which he recounts a journey in the company of her sister, Beatrice d’Este (1475-97), and Beatrice’s dwarf-jester Dioda, which they...
