What Was Life ACTUALLY Like as a Jester in the Middle Ages?
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- Опубликовано: 5 июл 2024
- During the medieval period lucky jesters were the ones who were employed by nobles or royalty to perform at court. But he or she wasn’t just an entertainer, they were part of the social fabric of a region, whilst court jesters were valued with great privileges. Today in Medieval Madness, we look at the life of a Medieval Jester.
0:00 Introduction
1:24 The Minstrel
2:33 Born This Way
4:35 Having the Kings Ear
6:34 The Motley
8:48 Don't Shoot the Messenger!
9:45 Notable Jesters
13:17 Here Come the Girls
15:15 The Lord of Misrule
🎶🎶 Music by CO.AG: / @co.agmusic
Narrated & Edited by: James Wade
Thank you for watching.
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Copyright © 2021 Top5s All rights reserved. In this video, we've compiled information from a variety of sources, including documentaries, books, and websites, all with the aim of providing an engaging viewing experience. While we strive to ensure accuracy, we acknowledge that there may be variations in the authenticity of the content. We encourage viewers to delve deeper and conduct their own research to corroborate the information presented.
Imagine getting a mansion and a yearly paycheck because you can fart, whistle, and jump at the same time
In some companies work people with less skills for biger pay check - 😜😁
A comedian today might do something similar. Might not be too wild since they get mansion sometimes
Tbf that sounds like it could be awkward, like trying to rub your stomach and pat your head at the same time
Like actors today.
Can you? 😒
Kings be like "God i'm so stressed, bring me my emotional support funny-guy!"
“Sire? Is that you? You have so much white hair from your stress, I thought you were Saint Nicholas himself!”
BK you rule 🎉
"Even the rain is afraid of being taxed, it won't come onto the land" That's too good. Hundreds of years later and still gets laughs from people, bless that chinese jester
It also explains the real reason behind global warming!
Bro I was laughing for like 2 minutes after that, it was unexpected 😂😂😂
too smart
Imagine telling a joke so funny, centuries later it would still earn a laugh.
That jester better be proud.
@Ash Doszczeczko adjusting taxes and regulations so that the cheapest way to build something isn't to ship it around the world 3 times at different stages of production would probably be a pretty good way to start tackling pollution and carbon emissions tho
Imagine living in a time where fart jokes are still the cutting edge of comedy
Never seen a culture where a fart can't get a laugh or two especially when done right
Sounds like the 1970's!!
“Cutting edge” hah
Don’t have to, we live in that time now
* Fart sound with reverb in the background *
saying people with deformities were 'touched by God' as if they're the embodiment of God's sense of humor and were brought up to bring laughter to other people, giving them jobs where they can perform with this 'talent', and giving them plenty of benefits for that job is just so bizarrely progressive for the medieval times.
In the past, sometimes they were better than us..
Sometimes they were more progressive than today's era.
It's pretty cool
It’s so backwards that it is kind of progressive, I agree
"Progressive" how? Is this may be one of the most horrific paragraphs I've ever read.
@@k_tess because they at least gave them a (well payed) job. Of course this way of thinking is horrible, but at least they weren’t outcasted
@@Gerolinger Yeah because their "well-paid job" was to essentially be a circus freak attraction for "normies" like the King and his family/guests. So trying to present that as if it's anything other than disgusting and exploitative of special needs people is laughably disingenuous.
I think the way the narrator says "fart" is hilarious.
He makes it sound regal and like something we can't afford
You can actually clench your butt cheeks in such a way… that it makes a fart sound pleasant and instantly relieves anxiety , stress, bad acne and terminal cancer. To people that are lucky enough to here it. I’ll have to fart in you sometime. Don’t thank me I’m just a good person. 👍
*farts*
ah shit i cant afford that rn, i gotta go grab some mone-
*the inquisition blows up the nearby wall and runs through*
WHERES YOUR FUCKING FART FEE MONEY
Being able to whistle and hop at the same time does indeed increase the price of each fart.
Not at the rate aristocrats paid for them apparently.
@@tsopmocful1958 Plus the potency of the smell too. Lololol.
It’s so interesting that the fools were the only ones who truly got to tell the king what the rest of the kingdom was actually thinking.
When trolling actually got you some respect in real life.
Nowadays "trolling" is closer to be synonymous with sadism in the comfort of anonymity practiced by cowards and troubled individuals
@@zakazany1945 true
@@zakazany1945 Snowflake much?
@@thefool1086 Just stating the obvious truth is being a snowflake now? Wow, they changed really fast the meaning of the word
It actually just did with the Jackass group.
"Can you put my whoopie cushion in my shirt so my last moment will be funny?" Jester about to be fired in a catapult.
😂
Sometimes "screw you" sounds like a badass final words, and sometimes it sounds like "thbbbbbbbbbbt."
I can imagine the trebuchet being loosed as soon as he says that lmao I bet people were mad petty about bad news
might be macabre but firing a jester out of a catapult is some dark funny looney tunes shit lol
Lmao why did this make me laugh... I imagined the Jester smashing into the ground with a limp body and a loud fart sound 😭😭😂😂😂
Imagine taking a person suffering from down sydrome or dwarfism in your house because you think they're funny looking and have them stand, dance, sing, fart, whistle and jump around the dinner table for a few years, being the main theme of entertainment when you have guests over.
what did you think t.v. is? Same thing.
Suffering? They can’t help it.
Sounds good to me.
Ay, at least they get to live the good life. Either a life of luxury or having your existence loathed. I know what I would choose if I was in that situation.
@@Rastalos seriously, I believe in decency but the current sensitivities just don't apply
This is so cool. I never would have thought they would be so respected and valued!
Yeah, drinking poisoned wine and dying of a bursted brain, regardless of the antidote. Esteemed. XD
@@ethanpearson853 Don't forgot being paid TWENTY SCHILLINGS - TWICE what you can get for just dancing like an idiot for the king's amusement - for falling off a horse like Johnny Knoxville or any other Jackass stunt jester.
@@ethanpearson853 he would have been happy to sacrifice himself for his emperor
@@zachdalmaso2131 Right, but consider this. I was joking.
@@High_Tech_Priest Either dedication or a lack of options, but I was only joking.
The obvious solution for being fired from a catapult, as a jester, is to wear a squirrel suit. Once flung into the air, the legs and arms expand outwards, and the jester flies away unharmed until he has to land
YES BUT WHO WOULD YOU GET TO PLAY BORIS AND NATASHA ? LET ALONE BULLWINKLE !
This comment made me fucking scream with laughter. Just imagining the jester flung into the air to safely glide back down to earth like a squirrel, whilst giving the hostile King the double finger "🖕🤡🖕" 😂
Hate to break it to you, but the acceleration of the catapult firing would be fatal.
@@tektrixter I doubt it'd be any worse than a Slingshot ride or human canon ball.
He can also use powerful farts to stay in the air longer while landing with style
I wonder if Jesters wearing hats with Donkey ears on them is where we got the insult "ass hat" from?
Yes, it is. And for someone to make a complete ass hat of themself is showing how not to behave.
Is it so for "dickhead" too? Bc of the rooster/cock attached at the top before the soft trim top hat with bells was brought in
lmao makes me wonder if that what that roman art of jesus christ as donkey means.
@@isaiahsimmons5776 I've seen some analysis online suggesting Jesus is a clown by definition.
@@te9591 maybe he was just goofing in the bible. my conspiracy theory is that jesus christ was a set up by the romans for world dominance.
" even the rain is afraid of being taxed"
FEELS
My theory is that the bells were added to their outfit so people could hear them coming just in case he heard something he shouldn’t have. He couldn’t sneak up and listen in on gossip..
Jesters had the bells to announce their presence too so it makes sense
I always loved the idea that the jester was the one person who could talk shit to the king and get away with it (as long as he was clever and didn't catch the king in a particularly bad mood, anyway). The idea of comdedians using jokes to speak truth to power is a very old tradition.
One of my greatest journeys in life, has been learning to not take myself too seriously. What's wrong with being a fool? They get to hang out by the King, keep spirits light, cleverly tell the truth, and make everyone laugh.
Fools are usually godly.
And mock the cowards when they bravely run away!
Well. Your comment didn't make me laugh but at least you get to hang out with kings.
Incredibly well-said, my friend.
I’ve come to realize that too and I’ve even said something along the lines of “I thought I was the ruler, it turns out I’m the fool, and this role suits me better” and that’s how I went from control freak to jokester
I really appreciate you acknowledging and informing us about jesters from other parts of the world.
A thirty acre manor for having good timing with breaking wind, whistling and a jump. That's something you can do right on the spot if someone asks you "what do you do for work?"
I love imagining our current society with a dude in the White House whose official position is to fart, whistle, and jump at the same time but unofficially is also the voice of reason to the highest levels of government.
@@DisDatK9 I easily have a visual of this jester doing this standing next to the previous POTUS and definitely being the voice of reason.
@@michaellockhart6632 Yeah, you're talking about Mike Pence here. Show the jester some respect!
@@michaellockhart6632 xD dead on though, sometimes there's no king just a fool
@@michaellockhart6632 at least he brought peace between the two koreas instead of signing useless executive orders all day
We had our family history researched and we were surprised about our place in English and American History, but we were really surprised that we were in the Royal Court at one time...I remember how our Egos started to swell until we found ...He was a Professional Fool...The joke was on us... But this documentary helps to redeem our family name.
You know your ancestor got laid at least once
No offense. But how certain can you possibly be about this? In my opinion, one shouldn't put too much faith in those genealogy companies.
Well it depends on the records .If you know where your ancestors were from, and get a chance to go to that country and town ,the records are probably correct.Dont know much about my mom,s side in Hungary, but relatives in Nuremberg keep the family history book on my dad,s side.There is a copy also in the State Archives in Hamburg. Don't know of any jesters in the family, but on a TDY for the US Air force to England and Germany, my dad got to Garmisch.He found in the parish records that one relative there had been a burgermeister and also served as a Steward to the Grand Duke of Bavaria in the 1690s.
Americans are completely ridiculous with their obsession with ancestors they are american and that's it
You fool!
Sounds like the origins of comedians hasn’t really changed much since medieval age! Thank you for all your work and research 👍🔥💕
You could have talked about Anne Boleyn's female jester Jane Foole, believed to have had a learning disability, and her male counterpart Will Sommers, King Henry VIII's favorite entertainer, who was the only individual who could brighten the King's spirits when he had a severe infection in his leg in his later years
Was it from gout?
Yep, I was listening for both of those, especially Will Sommers.
@@tfuwan1248 No, he suffered a leg wound from a joust, the wound never properly healed and became an ulcer
@@BoxStudioExecutive ah, it was an infection in his leg not his foot
@@tfuwan1248 He did also suffer from gout as well, on top of that. The life of a king, huh?
It's nice to hear a fleshed out telling of jester life that didn't turn out to be in support of the myth of "If a Jester performed poorly, they were executed by the king". You know, the myth that people will tell others about Jesters just so they can drum up a greater emotional response from the listener?
Some jesters where assassins and other more sinister peoples. The court jester would also serve as a kings personal assassin. Who would ever expect the fool when a kings most despised enemy died of unusual circumstances while negotiating a peace treaty.
Everyone: *investigating the murder*
The jester: "hmmm he probably DIED of laughter"
@@jackbelmont4389 lol
Haha, the birth of killer clowns
hail sithis
“I can’t even negotiate a peace treaty. Every time they see me, they die of laughter!”
Imagine getting paid for basically roasting the king
Even the rain is afraid of our high taxes. What a legend god damn that got me.
They dressed the truth as a joke the same as a modern day meme to protect themselves from tyrants, nothing changes!
For sure, humor is the best way to get messages across
Yeah maybe in France
talking about protection from tyrants with a russian flag pfp is a little ironic.
Jesters have always fascinated me. Especially jesters from the Medieval period.
this right here is why i love jesters and have an ever so slight obession with them
Do some DMT and you'll visit them
I would have enjoyed knowing the references you used and citations maybe in the video description! Jesters are fascinating and it would be handy to have a compiled list of the source material all about them :)
Those that grasped the attention of & placed smiles upon the faces of royalty, their children & their inner circle had the potential to hold a level of influence few could even dream of.
I couldn’t stop myself from laughing for a moment on hearing “it was a live fool sent airborne.” I now realize I am a horrible person.
Yeah... I didn't think that was funny. To me it just sounds like a horrible death. I wouldn't wish it on anyone.
@@skunkie110 honestly, that's probably one of the better ways to die in the middle ages. Definitely faster and less painful than the plague.
I actually feel quite sad imagining the terror the poor jester would’ve felt while wizzing through the air 😢
I always thought their portrayal was off. Great comedians are always valued for their insight and quick wittedness
I absolutely love this. It's so informative and interesting. I had no idea there had been women jester's or they were so highly regarded in those times. Great video and amazing story telling.
I can't believe women used to be funny. Crazy to think how different things were back then.
@@nixon5452and how times have changed. Used to men died with honor. Now y’all die alone complaining about women online about your self induced erectile dysfunction
I love it when flatulence is considered a highly sought after skill
To be fair, not many people can fart loudly on command.
@@johnmaaate2833 look up "le Petomane"
He was a performer born in the mid 1800s that discovered an ability to fart not only on command but he did songs and musical instrument impressions.He could blow candles out at a distance.
His "talent" came from being able suck air into his rectum for lack of better words and force it back out.He also was know to be able to do this with water and shoot it several yards out his rear end.
My grandfather was awesome enough to have an old book about the guys life and let me read it when I was a kid
So when people call me a fool they have been complimenting me all along. Well who knew.
When a literal clown has more political influence then most poeple.
Has it really changed?
@@whatintheworld2376 I was thinking the same thing! Apparently this role is timeless.
It's the same now. Just under a different name "youtubers" or "tiktokers"
I mean it works for getting elected president
Politicians these days wear suits in public, when underneath they are wearing colourful costumes
Mr bean would be considered god if he travels back in time
No merely Blackadder....
😂😂😂😂 you know mr bean but not Blackadder and Baldrick.
The most inferior character played by RA.
In my culture, Lakota, we have something like a clown, they’re called Heyoka, or the sacred clown.
Is it true that they are afraid to be killed by thunderstorms?
Not much has changed. Today's successful entertainers are also celebrities, and people care about their opinions about all sorts of issues. They are messengers as well.
Propagandists. Deviate from the narrative and you'll be destroyed.
Less in the "600 knights have died fiercely protecting our kingdom sire" Way and more of "buy my newest lipstick in stock" way
"And with firm application and determination...
I made a fool of myself."
Danny Kaye, "The Court Jester"
There once was a king in france or germany, i forget. He grew tired and bored of a jester and said to the jester, "you're not funny.I know what will help you get laughter from now on, I will help you get laughter!" He had the poor jester castrated, and upon his next visit to the court, the king had him expose his privates, and everyone laughed and laughed.
Rip
The king whom castrated the jester was an sadistic asshole! How cruel.
@@joycejones8070 he should have watched his fucking mouth.
Damn 💀
A jester in a catapult is morbidly funny, kinda.
"Actors damaging to society", yeah they got that right.
Even though humanity has evolved so much over the past 500 or so years since the Middle Ages, we’re still the same in many ways, and this perfectly captured that.
I never thought I’d be so engrossed with medieval history, yet here I am completely immersed. You just earned a subscription from me ;)
Evolved?! We still laugh at fart jokes today!
The middle ages were only 500-200 years ago
@@kenzi.abrous Thanks for correcting me on that. I have edited my comment accordingly.
We've been the same for at least 12,000 years. You could take a baby from that time and raise them today and you would never notice.
@@kenzi.abrous The middle ages didn't end 200 years ago. I mean it's kind of arbitrary to say the middle ages started ended at a specific point but I don't think anyone includes the 1800s in the middle ages.
In the Lao kingdom of Luang Prabang palace entertainment consisted of rod puppets called Hun Kabong. The puppeteers were able to criticise, or relate the plights and compaints of the people to, The Lords and Monarchs through the puppets, in a similar fashion to European jesters.
The kings emotional support silly little guy
Every episode from this channel has been fantastic. Love your content !
SBC, the guy who plays borat, is a modern example of an expert at buffoonery. It’s interesting that there are distinctions between clowns, jesters and Buffoons.
Or -was-.... The recent stuff I've seen of him isn't holding up as much, unfortunately.
I like that you fall them “Episode”; as opposed to “Video”.
I do the same. The amount of work some of these creators put in, & the quality of their uploads can rival television itself. Most have “Series”, that aren’t just random videos.
I do the same thing, & believe they deserve that type of respect & high regard.
Well done! I commend you, as well!
I like that you used fall instead of call. Interesting choice but bold non the less
@@Poodleinacan That is subjective. Personally I find his best work to be when he expertly clowned politicians displaying what kind of people are running the system
He went to the famous French school of buffoonery. I'd like to go there as well.
Brings a whole new level of thought to the ‘Fool’ of the tarot cards
So this where the terms "suffer fools lightly" and "shoot the messenger" come from 🤫
I could have been the most famous jester if I was around in those times! I have an epic memory and can play any instrument
Fascinating information. I never knew women could be jesters too!
You know that Jester practiced his whistle, fart and jumping skills day and night by a candle light.
Sensational ! As a Medievalist and book collector I have spent HOURS in catalogs
and rare book stores and have NEVER run across any scholarly titles of merit covering this obscure but invaluable topic. Are there any 19th or 20th century titles to suggest I will purchase them sight unseen ! 👑🌎
I feel so intelligent listening to this guy talk 😅
Absolutely love your storytelling
Quite enjoyable, and very much appreciated! I am fairly new to your channel, but I have been and will continue to binge on your videos for the remainder of this day while I am off of work. Your unusual story highlights are my favorite part. A lot of channels discuss history, and even more so Royal and Court history, but your choice of subject is stellar, and very much welcomed, by me for one, but I am sure many, many more!,
This channel is quickly becoming one of my favorites on the platform! 👌🔥
The fool had to be a very wise person.
Jesters never play, they gently pull the strings and smile as the puppets dance.
they literally shot the messenger.
I just realised - a jester to a ruler was what 9gag is to me. A source of silly jokes to keep one sane.
that bit about the English jumping into the sea lol. cracked me up. nicely done ! ty
I must admit, the phrase "don't shoot the messenger" never struck me as "don't catapult the messenger back to us" 😂😂💀
This would’ve been a hilarious line for heath ledger to use in the dark night
Love this channel, thank you for your work ♥
Excellent work, brother! Many thanks and keep it up.
You deserve more subscribers, honestly.
Love this channel! Its presented so well!
Great vid - a very under-reported aspect of the medieval world.
Man, I never knew the most highly skilled, stressful, job in the Middle ages was that of the Jester, respect for those that lived it during that time.
I would just like to say thank you! You’re the Dr. Mark Felton of medieval history. You gained a loyal follower! I am a sponge for history; like most of your audience haha
Thanks again for the rad backdrop content.
Slowly learning as I’m earning!
If you haven't read the book "Fool" by Christopher Moore, I highly recommend it and it's sequels. Completely hilarious if you can keep up with Pocket, The Puppet Jones, and Drool. Pure genuine comedy on the adult side.
DAMNNN new clean intro. Love how the channel is progressing! Great content,
Whenever a Shakespeare play has a fool in it, he usually ends up being my favourite character
The play I'm in right now (not a Shakespeare play) has a jester character, and he's 100% my favorite. Sadly, I do not play him, but I'm in a ton of scenes with the character!
@@rosykindbunny1313 what play are you in?
@@naly202 Once Upon A Mattress
@@rosykindbunny1313 haha. Sounds fun.
Edit: I've just checked the play on Wiki. I'd never heard of it, but I'd love to watch it some day. It seems to have a funny plot and lots of interesting characters.
@@naly202 I think you can find it on RUclips. There's also a movie, but it's not very good. My entire character is cut out :p
I'm pretty good at spurting out funny stuff from time to time and ease some drama with jokes....... But a great memory for stories and news, and an excellent tactfulness? Forget about that.
Thought that it said "The Actual Life of a Joestar", and as such displayed the real, non-illusioned JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, thus showing the sad documentary of a half- crazed partially comatose amnesiac drifter hobo.
Found myself so drawn into this part of culture. Thank you so much for creating this video.
“No, wait, don’t shoot the messengeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrr…”
That was brilliant, thank you
"Fart, whistle and jump for me!"
"Are you crazy! I'm not going to degrade myself like th-"
"I'll throw in a 38-acre palace"
"I'll slip in a good burp as well"
I think I'd be extra and shit myself as a treat for the nobles
What an awesome idea for a channel. I hope this gets a gold play button. Great editing. I love it.
Your posts are brilliant. Thank you.
Great videos, only suggestion would be to maybe find alternatives to the modern day photos/stock footage as it sort of throws off the vibe of the topic and time period discussed. Medieval or renaissance images work great but some some of them seem a bit modern and random. Either way great job 😀
So, do y'all think a person would be able to survive the g-force and mechanical shock from being launched by a counterweight trebuchet? I feel like you'd break your neck and back or at the very lease pass out when launched, depending on orientation. Ngl that's how i'd wanna go out, if I lived back then.
Thanks, this channel is Gold!
wow ive learned alot from this video! thank you so much man for all your hard work putting in to this video
Love your stuff bro, been sharing the info during sessions. haha =]
I can’t believe I just now discovered this amazing channel! Love it!
I just stumbled upon this channel.... I have to say that Medieval Madness is one of the most best & most popular pinball game ever made. Now that I've said that - great video!
Cool. Thanks for sharing.
So Jesters really give huge buffs during battle similar to MMOs. Lol
I appreciate this topic Slightly more than I had anticipated! Would you ever do a part two or a historical accounting on Dragoon's as a more pointed and less broad approach to the topic of mounted armaments in war times?
Absolutely iconic, the life of a silly little guy/lady
Wow so glad I stumbled on your channel. Really cool, and your voice is calming. Definitely subscribed!
This is *very* interesting. This video provides clarifications of two terms - "licensed" @ 03:48 and "coxcomb" @ 07:19 - that are associated with the Fool in "King Lear" and whose meanings I found (until now) to be rather obscure. Many thanks!
Tom the Fool? Well that's just Tomfoolery!
Fascinating. I could have endured another hour or so on this topic.
I enjoy your channel so much. Very unique and informative. Very well done
Much truth arises from the mouth of a wise jester.
07:26 Unexpected Mr Claypole.
Wonderful video! Great narration. Quite educational. Big up!
Dude I love these videos