The jester - a profession that walks the line between life and death in the royal court.

The job of selling laughter.

Court jester is a profession with a long history, known for entertaining kings and nobles. Not only that, but court jesters were also artists who brought many amusing performances to the people at fairs and towns. To this day, jesters still frequently perform at historical events.

Clowns typically appear in distinctive and striking costumes. Their brightly colored outfits and oddly shaped Motley-style hats make them unmistakable figures in a crowd. Today, this style from the Post-Classical and Renaissance periods continues to inspire modern clowns to learn from and adopt it.

Possessing a variety of skills, these individuals were hired to perform unique acts and skills, mostly in a humorous style, such as telling jokes, singing, music , acrobatics, juggling, magic, etc. Originating in the Middle Ages, jesters were rigorously and carefully selected to meet the entertainment and relaxation needs of high-ranking officials.

A royal entertainer may be appointed for their distinctive appearance or selected from a pool of entertainers; sometimes courtiers will also nominate individuals with comedic talent to hold a position within the royal family.

A unique relationship with people in power.

Clowns are sometimes the target of ridicule for their self-created antics, but at the same time, they are also entertainers and can provide wonderful moments of relaxation. History records the story of a famous clown in the 12th century during the reign of King Henry II in England, Roland the Farter. This artist is well known for the anecdote that every Christmas Eve, before the king and court, he had to perform, simultaneously dancing, whistling, and farting as a form of entertainment.

Furthermore, the jester was a reliable companion and in many cases even influenced important decisions. For example, the jesters of the nation of Tübatulabal in the Sierra Nevada mountains once asked the elders to appoint a new leader when the old leader showed poor management skills.

Within the royal family, jesters enjoyed special privileges in terms of freedom of speech and the right to mock anyone with little fear of punishment. Their skill in expressing their views in a humorous yet satirical way gave their words the power to influence the decisions of those in power.

Risks that could be fatal.

However, unlike in movies or literature, clown jokes aren't always met with positive reactions. Sometimes, ridicule and criticism go too far, leading to terrible consequences for the artist, even a death sentence.

In 1638, the jester Archibald Armstrong humiliated the Archbishop of Canterbury with a joke at a time when the leader of the Church of England was facing heated controversy over his revisions to the Scottish Common Prayer Book. Because of this, Archibald Armstrong was mercilessly expelled from the royal family.

The Scottish clown, Archibald Armstrong (Photo: Wikipedia)

Besides the risk to their lives, jesters also faced the risk of punishment if they failed to please their masters. In the Middle Ages, kings and nobles could order the punishment of a jester if they did not meet their entertainment needs.

In reality, being punished is not very common. History has shown many instances where some comedians publicly criticized their masters or royalty without facing any consequences. Therefore, the clown's ability to balance humor and satire is extremely important. At the same time, it affirms the talent and wisdom of a professional comedian.

Xuan Mai

Source