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...
15th century, Europe, German, Germany, historical figure, primary source, quotes, stories
There are some surviving anecdotes on the informal and meritocratic way in which jesters could be recruited. Sometimes they were ‘talent spotted’ by the ruler or a courtier on their travels, such as if they were something like the village fool. One famous...
