Europe, fictive fool, Ireland, Irish, medieval, primary source, quotes, stories
From an Irish myth, a curious shopping list of what subordinate chieftains need as proof of your elevation above them: not only you should provide ample food and beer (as evidenced by greasy knives and ale-breath), but you should equally ensure they be lavishly...
10th century, China, Chinese, East Asia, historical figure, primary source, quotes, stories, Tang dynasty
Like many of his counterparts elsewhere, Jing Xinmo 鏡新磨 (Newly Polished Mirror) was skilled in versifying. When an allegedly six-eyed turtle was sent to the court of Tang Zhuangzong 唐莊宗 (r. 923-26) as tribute, Xinmo made up a little rhyme about it – joking that...
9th century, China, Chinese, East Asia, historical figure, primary source, quotes, stories, Tang dynasty
When the poet Li Shen 李紳 (772-846) occupied Guangling, Zheng Can was his subordinate. In 844 Can gave a banquet for Li Shen at which the entertainment was a performance by an ageing dancer. The jester Sunzi Duo 孫子多 (Many Grandsons) thought up a rhyming jingle about...
12th century, Europe, Ireland, primary source, quotes, stories
Jesters could use rhymes and ditties to crack a joke or make a point, and the capacity to produce verse can signal some overlap with poets. But this intersection goes further – in some times and places the role of court poet could share some common ground with...
11th century, China, Chinese, East Asia, historical figure, primary source, quotes, Song dynasty, stories
There are several anecdotes relating to the renowned Chinese poet Su Dongpo 苏東坡 (1036-1101), and jesters. Su wore a kind of hat which was named after him. During the Xining reign period (1068–1077) of Song Shenzong 宋神宗, some jesters acted out a skit in which they...
14th century, historical figure, Persia, Persian, primary source, quotes
A famous fourteenth century Persian poet, `Obeyd-e Zakani, known for his satire, wittily dittily sums up how you can influence people – forget learning and wisdom, just stick to fooling and fiddling. Keep clear of learning sir, if so you may,Lest you should...
11th century, China, Chinese, East Asia, historical figure, primary source, quotes, Song dynasty, stories
In the Tiansheng reign period (1023-32) of Emperor Song Renzong 宋仁宗 a banquet was held at which poems were to be presented, the rhyming scheme to follow the word paihuai, or ‘dithering’. Jesters put on a skit using the various meanings of the word. A...
16th century, England, English, Europe, historical figure, primary source, quotes, stories, Tudor
The recruitment of fools and jesters was generally informal and meritocratic. They could emerge from a general pool of court entertainers, or somebody, perhaps the person whom they would serve, or a servant or courtier, would have an encounter which might lead to a...
