A Day in the Life of a Jester
For our colourful jugglers and fools, they often lived extraordinary lives. These social climbers did not often conform to societal norms, making their daily lives an adventure in itself.
The most common image of the jester is that of the medieval and Middle Ages period. This jester was often decked in colourful motley clothes, had bells on his fool’s hat, and plenty of jokes up their sleeves.
For these Medieval jesters, their daily life was often spent entertaining parties at court or helping to diffuse tense situations. These jesters were skilled in various areas from singing songs, dancing, tumbling, and of course telling jokes. Their role was to keep the crowd smiling and laughing, and would often help attract influential people to the court.
Most jesters began their lives as common folk before they stumbled into the role of jester. While some aspired to the role, others were picked due to physical deformities such as with the natural fool, or for their sharp tongues. The court jester was in interesting character and their daily life would scarcely contain a dull moment.
The Fool and the Owl | French Manuscript (1470-72)
Jane Foole depicted in “The Family of Henry VIII” | circa 1545
The personal jesters in medieval times got their rank from their patron, often wealthy dukes, lords, and kings and queens. These licensed fools were responsible in their daily life for companionship in addition to entertainment for crowds at parties. Such was the case for Jeffrey Hudson, a personal jester to Queen Henrietta Maria of France, a court dwarf who would spend his time as a jester loyally at his Queen’s side even through a civil war. Another personal court jester was Jane the Foole. She can be seen in a family portrait with King Henry VIII titled, ‘The Family of Henry VIII‘ (1545) as part of her place in the royal household.
These personal jesters that belonged to noble families were responsible on a daily basis for keeping the queen or king happy, and delivering bad news with a punchline to ensure there was never a tense moment.
There are many examples of Chinese jesters playing a similar role to the jesters throughout Europe, ensuring that their rulers were entertained and even giving sage advice.
These fools did more than tell jokes and dance, their skill set during war time was slightly more dangerous. Many jesters were responsible for correspondence between the enemy camp and their patrons, and would often carry messages across the battlefield.
Some jesters would even ride out before the enemy and provoke the soldiers, such is the case with Turold and Taillefer, the Irish jesters who fought in the Norman conquest over England in 1066. Jesters would also help boost morale amongst their own troops before a battle, making jeering comments to the enemy or singing a song.
Turold depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry
Musician and Court Jester | Gerlier (14th cent.)
The wandering jester, adorned in a vibrant and whimsical jester costume, did not receive the same treatment as the royal court jesters; instead, they often had to fend for themselves. These jesters spent their days either traveling solo or with a troupe, donning their colorful attire, and would attend fairs, festivals, and taverns to earn a few coins for their performances.. These jesters spent their days either travelling solo or with a troupe and would attend fairs, festivals, and taverns to earn a few coins for their performances.
During the Roman Empire jesters called Balatrones were jesters who would sell their skills and jokes for a price.
Jesters all around the world lived adventurous and colourful lives, from the poor jester juggling for tips to the fools of the royal courts.
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