Fools and Jesters
April 1, 2025 - September 30, 2025
Fool: 10-20
Jester: 21 or more
Each task can be done as often as needed.
Each task can be done as often as needed.
2/21
Tasks
1. Natural Fools
"Natural fools’" were adults with learning disabilities. Their lack of social awareness and directness of tone with the Royals was endearing where it would likely have resulted in a charge of treason for anyone else. Believed to be closer to God and closer to truth, these ‘natural fools’ became an integral part of the Tudor court.
🃏 Read a book with the word God in the text (Give a partial sentence and page/loc #) or
"Natural fools’" were adults with learning disabilities. Their lack of social awareness and directness of tone with the Royals was endearing where it would likely have resulted in a charge of treason for anyone else. Believed to be closer to God and closer to truth, these ‘natural fools’ became an integral part of the Tudor court.
🃏 Read a book with the word God in the text (Give a partial sentence and page/loc #) or
Renegade Reunion - Addison Fox (HRS #2320 - Apr 2025) ("God he'd missed her - loc 1284) - Apr 6
with a
character who has a disability or
a character who is endearing.
2. Sexton
Sexton, known by the nickname Patch (meaning 'fool'), was also considered a 'natural' who needed help and support in his life. When Cardinal Thomas Wolsey gave Hampton Court Palace to Henry VIII, he also 'gave' him Sexton. Allegations of treason were being made against Wolsey, the Lord Chancellor, and he was desperately trying to win back Henry's favour. We know that it took six tall yeomen to transport the clearly distressed Sexton to the court. A succession of 'keepers' or carers were paid to look after him and given money for his needs.
🃏Read a book where a character does someone a favour or
Sexton, known by the nickname Patch (meaning 'fool'), was also considered a 'natural' who needed help and support in his life. When Cardinal Thomas Wolsey gave Hampton Court Palace to Henry VIII, he also 'gave' him Sexton. Allegations of treason were being made against Wolsey, the Lord Chancellor, and he was desperately trying to win back Henry's favour. We know that it took six tall yeomen to transport the clearly distressed Sexton to the court. A succession of 'keepers' or carers were paid to look after him and given money for his needs.
🃏Read a book where a character does someone a favour or
a sixth in a series or
a character who is a
caregiver.
3. Will Sommers
Another "natural fool" was a hunchbacked jester who was a close confidante of Henry VIII, known for his wit, music, and ability to speak truth to the king, even mocking his girth and gout. Somer was free to voice such uncomfortable truths to Henry because he was his fool, and the King loved his humorous banter. Few others in the Tudor court would have dared to say such things. Will is featured in the intimate position between Henry and his children in a family portrait.
🃏 Read a book that is eighth in a series or
Another "natural fool" was a hunchbacked jester who was a close confidante of Henry VIII, known for his wit, music, and ability to speak truth to the king, even mocking his girth and gout. Somer was free to voice such uncomfortable truths to Henry because he was his fool, and the King loved his humorous banter. Few others in the Tudor court would have dared to say such things. Will is featured in the intimate position between Henry and his children in a family portrait.
🃏 Read a book that is eighth in a series or
read a book where a servant is considered family or
where
a character has a close friend or confidante.
4. Jane Foole
The third well known "natural fool Jane Foole or somethimes known just as Jane the Fool. She was one of the few female professional jesters during the Tudor period, connected to Queen Catherine Parr, Queen Mary I, and Queen Anne Boleyn. Jane was often showered with gifts from her mistress Anne Boleyn and was the best-dressed woman at court after the Queen and princesses.
🃏 Read a book with a character who is well-dressed or
The third well known "natural fool Jane Foole or somethimes known just as Jane the Fool. She was one of the few female professional jesters during the Tudor period, connected to Queen Catherine Parr, Queen Mary I, and Queen Anne Boleyn. Jane was often showered with gifts from her mistress Anne Boleyn and was the best-dressed woman at court after the Queen and princesses.
🃏 Read a book with a character who is well-dressed or
with a character called Jane, Catherine, Mary
or Anne or
a book written by a female author.
5. Claus Narr
Claus Nar was a court jester at the Saxon court in the 16th century and became one of the most famous German court jesters due to his foolish activities. Claus Narr was brought to the court of Elector Frederick II at the age of nine because of his shockingly deformed appearance and strange behavior as a natural fool and was passed down from prince to prince as a living heirloom. After the death of Ernst of Saxony , he served his eldest son and successor, Frederick the Wise , was loaned to the Archbishop of Magdeburg, Ernst II , in 1500 and returned to the electoral court in 1513. After the death of Frederick III in 1525, Claus spent the rest of his years with John the Steadfast . After 1530, his trace is lost.
🃏 Read a book set in Germany or
Claus Nar was a court jester at the Saxon court in the 16th century and became one of the most famous German court jesters due to his foolish activities. Claus Narr was brought to the court of Elector Frederick II at the age of nine because of his shockingly deformed appearance and strange behavior as a natural fool and was passed down from prince to prince as a living heirloom. After the death of Ernst of Saxony , he served his eldest son and successor, Frederick the Wise , was loaned to the Archbishop of Magdeburg, Ernst II , in 1500 and returned to the electoral court in 1513. After the death of Frederick III in 1525, Claus spent the rest of his years with John the Steadfast . After 1530, his trace is lost.
🃏 Read a book set in Germany or
a character who does something foolish or
where something or someone
goes missing.
6. Roland the Farter
Roland was a medieval flautist who lived in 12th century England. Court jester to King Henry II, Roland was best known for one thing and one thing alone: breaking wind. While little is written about Roland, one thing that we do know is that his particular skill set was reserved for one performance a year: King Henry’s rip-roaringly riotous Christmas celebrations. Roland was recorded as culminating his foolery with"Unum saltum et siffletum et unum bumbulum": a simultaneous jump, whistle, and fart.
🃏 Read a book that is 12th in a series or
Roland was a medieval flautist who lived in 12th century England. Court jester to King Henry II, Roland was best known for one thing and one thing alone: breaking wind. While little is written about Roland, one thing that we do know is that his particular skill set was reserved for one performance a year: King Henry’s rip-roaringly riotous Christmas celebrations. Roland was recorded as culminating his foolery with"Unum saltum et siffletum et unum bumbulum": a simultaneous jump, whistle, and fart.
🃏 Read a book that is 12th in a series or
with a character called Roland or Henry or
where a
character either jumps, whistles or farts. (Give a partial sentence and
page/loc #)
7. Sir Jeffery Hudson AKA Lord Minimus
As a child, Jeffrey was presented to the Duchess of Buckingham as a 'rarity of nature'. Titillated by his extreme smallness and perfect proportions, the Duchess invited the six-year-old to live in her household. As the finale of a lavish banquet, Jeffrey was presented to the queen hidden in an 18” pie. At the opportune moment, he burst out of the pie adorned in a miniature suit of armor. Queen Maria was so entertained with this display that the Duchess offered him to the queen as a whimsical gift.
🃏 Read a book where a lavish meal is eaten or
As a child, Jeffrey was presented to the Duchess of Buckingham as a 'rarity of nature'. Titillated by his extreme smallness and perfect proportions, the Duchess invited the six-year-old to live in her household. As the finale of a lavish banquet, Jeffrey was presented to the queen hidden in an 18” pie. At the opportune moment, he burst out of the pie adorned in a miniature suit of armor. Queen Maria was so entertained with this display that the Duchess offered him to the queen as a whimsical gift.
🃏 Read a book where a lavish meal is eaten or
a book that is tagged Children or Kids or
with a pie on
the cover.
8. Dagonet
Dagonet is a Knight of the Round Table in Arthurian legend. In the different versions of the Prose Tristan he is depicted as Arthur's official fool. It characterized him as a hateful and mad commoner who was given knightly status as a joke In the second version, Tristan humiliates "Sir Daguenet the Fool" publicly by dunking him into a well, and then uses Dagonet's own sword to maim one of Dagonet's angry squires when protecting a group of shepherds who laughed at the scene. In a markedly more positive (and best known today) characterization by Thomas Malory in his seminal Le Morte d'Arthur, Dagonet is King Arthur's court fool who has been knighted as an award for his loyalty and comedic talents.
🃏 Read a book with a table on the cover or
Dagonet is a Knight of the Round Table in Arthurian legend. In the different versions of the Prose Tristan he is depicted as Arthur's official fool. It characterized him as a hateful and mad commoner who was given knightly status as a joke In the second version, Tristan humiliates "Sir Daguenet the Fool" publicly by dunking him into a well, and then uses Dagonet's own sword to maim one of Dagonet's angry squires when protecting a group of shepherds who laughed at the scene. In a markedly more positive (and best known today) characterization by Thomas Malory in his seminal Le Morte d'Arthur, Dagonet is King Arthur's court fool who has been knighted as an award for his loyalty and comedic talents.
🃏 Read a book with a table on the cover or
where a character is described as loyal or
where the
author's initials can be found in KNIGHTS.
9. Jesse Bogdonoff
Jesse Bogdonoff is a former Bank of America financial advisor to the government of Tonga and court jester of Taufa'ahau Tupou IV, the king of Tonga. He was embroiled in a financial scandal. Bogdonoff's status as official court jester of Tupou's court made sensational news when the financial scandal hit the media in 2001. Tonga was the first royal court to appoint a court jester in modern times, being appointed in 1999.
🃏 Read a book with a book published in either 1999 or 2001 or
Jesse Bogdonoff is a former Bank of America financial advisor to the government of Tonga and court jester of Taufa'ahau Tupou IV, the king of Tonga. He was embroiled in a financial scandal. Bogdonoff's status as official court jester of Tupou's court made sensational news when the financial scandal hit the media in 2001. Tonga was the first royal court to appoint a court jester in modern times, being appointed in 1999.
🃏 Read a book with a book published in either 1999 or 2001 or
where a character is involved in a scandal
or
set in America.
10. Perkeo of Heidelberg
Perkeo of Heidelberg (born Clemens Pankert, according to other sources Giovanni Clementi was a jester and court dwarf of Elector Palatine Charles III Philip in Heidelberg. As guardian of the Great Heidelberg Tun, he has since become an unofficial mascot of the city and region. His name, story and image have been connected with a variety of festivals, traditional songs, cultural and scientific institutions, hotels, restaurants and private companies (in and out of the region) ever since.
🃏 Read a book where a festival takes place or
Perkeo of Heidelberg (born Clemens Pankert, according to other sources Giovanni Clementi was a jester and court dwarf of Elector Palatine Charles III Philip in Heidelberg. As guardian of the Great Heidelberg Tun, he has since become an unofficial mascot of the city and region. His name, story and image have been connected with a variety of festivals, traditional songs, cultural and scientific institutions, hotels, restaurants and private companies (in and out of the region) ever since.
🃏 Read a book where a festival takes place or
by an author who has a pseudonym or
set in a city.
11. Archibald Armstrong
Archibald "Archy" Armstrong distinguished himself as a sheep thief; afterwards he entered the service of James VI and I as a court jester, with whom he became a favourite. His yearly fee in 1606 was £9-2s-6d. In 1611 he was granted a pension of two shillings a day. In February 1612 he was given clothes laced with silk, made by Lord Cranbourne's tailor. Armstrong had been born in Scotland and in July 1612 was made a denizen of England. His influence was considerable and he was greatly courted and flattered, but his success led to him becoming presumptuous, insolent, and mischievous and was much disliked by the members of the court.
🃏 Read a book published in either February or July of any year or
Archibald "Archy" Armstrong distinguished himself as a sheep thief; afterwards he entered the service of James VI and I as a court jester, with whom he became a favourite. His yearly fee in 1606 was £9-2s-6d. In 1611 he was granted a pension of two shillings a day. In February 1612 he was given clothes laced with silk, made by Lord Cranbourne's tailor. Armstrong had been born in Scotland and in July 1612 was made a denizen of England. His influence was considerable and he was greatly courted and flattered, but his success led to him becoming presumptuous, insolent, and mischievous and was much disliked by the members of the court.
🃏 Read a book published in either February or July of any year or
read a book set in Scotland or
with a
character called James or Armstrong.
12. Chicot
Chicot (c. 1540–1591), real name Jean-Antoine d'Anglerais, was the jester of King Henry III of France and later Henry IV. He spoke with the king without formalities. Chicot was born in Gascony in 1540. He had a strong military background, he served as a soldier under Honorat II of Savoy. He was the only known jester who led an active political and military life; he was allowed to carry a rapier, and he was also known for his skill with the blade.
🃏 Read a book with a character who is in the military or
Chicot (c. 1540–1591), real name Jean-Antoine d'Anglerais, was the jester of King Henry III of France and later Henry IV. He spoke with the king without formalities. Chicot was born in Gascony in 1540. He had a strong military background, he served as a soldier under Honorat II of Savoy. He was the only known jester who led an active political and military life; he was allowed to carry a rapier, and he was also known for his skill with the blade.
🃏 Read a book with a character who is in the military or
a character who carries a knife or
set in
France.
13. Joan D'Acosta
Joan d'Acosta was a Jewish jester at the court of Tsar Peter I of Russia in the first half of the eighteenth century. D'Acosta is described as having been very clever and witty, well-versed in Scripture, and a master of numerous European languages. Tsar Peter reportedly enjoyed discussing philosophical and theological questions with him, which often led to heated arguments. As a reward for his services, the tsar gave him the uninhabited island of Sammer in the Gulf of Finland, along with the mock title "King of the Samoyeds". He retained his position as court jester under Empress Anne.
🃏 Read a book with a character called Peter, Anne or Joan or
Joan d'Acosta was a Jewish jester at the court of Tsar Peter I of Russia in the first half of the eighteenth century. D'Acosta is described as having been very clever and witty, well-versed in Scripture, and a master of numerous European languages. Tsar Peter reportedly enjoyed discussing philosophical and theological questions with him, which often led to heated arguments. As a reward for his services, the tsar gave him the uninhabited island of Sammer in the Gulf of Finland, along with the mock title "King of the Samoyeds". He retained his position as court jester under Empress Anne.
🃏 Read a book with a character called Peter, Anne or Joan or
read a book set in Finland or Russia or
where the first letter of the location can be found in TSAR.
14. Lucretia the Tumbler
Lucretia the Tumbler, was a court jester in the court of Mary I of England. Lucretia was possibly of Italian origin. She was employed as a chamberer to Princess Mary. She and Jane Foole sometimes received identical clothes and shoes. It has been suggested by author John Southworth that Lucretia was at some time Jane's caretaker or companion. It is known that Lucretia and Jane performed together. However, unlike Jane, Lucretia was a trained entertainer with skills. Aside from her role as Jane Foole's caretaker and companion, she performed acrobatic dance.
🃏 Read a book where a character dances or
Lucretia the Tumbler, was a court jester in the court of Mary I of England. Lucretia was possibly of Italian origin. She was employed as a chamberer to Princess Mary. She and Jane Foole sometimes received identical clothes and shoes. It has been suggested by author John Southworth that Lucretia was at some time Jane's caretaker or companion. It is known that Lucretia and Jane performed together. However, unlike Jane, Lucretia was a trained entertainer with skills. Aside from her role as Jane Foole's caretaker and companion, she performed acrobatic dance.
🃏 Read a book where a character dances or
set in Italy or
where a book is tagged Jewish/Judiasim.
15. João de Sá Panasco
João de Sá Panasco known as Panasco (a nickname that meant rudeness as revealed by clothes or manners), was a black African in the employ of King John III of Portugal, who was eventually elevated from court jester to gentleman courtier of the Royal Household. Celebrated as a very spirited man, he began his career as a court jester, entertaining both the King and Queen Catherine with witty jokes and parodies. He could mock the nobility with impunity. His status as simultaneously an outsider and insider made him an invaluable informer to the King.
🃏 Read a book where a character mocks something or someone, or
João de Sá Panasco known as Panasco (a nickname that meant rudeness as revealed by clothes or manners), was a black African in the employ of King John III of Portugal, who was eventually elevated from court jester to gentleman courtier of the Royal Household. Celebrated as a very spirited man, he began his career as a court jester, entertaining both the King and Queen Catherine with witty jokes and parodies. He could mock the nobility with impunity. His status as simultaneously an outsider and insider made him an invaluable informer to the King.
🃏 Read a book where a character mocks something or someone, or
a character who is invaluable or
a
character who tells a joke.
16. Mathurine la Folle
As one of the few female jesters recorded in history books, Mathurine la Folle was a jester at the French court. She is thought to have lived between 1589-1627 during the reign of three kings, King Henry III, King Henry IV, and King Louis XIII. Mathurine didn’t wear the typical motley colours like the typical jesters of the Middle Ages, and instead she wore an Amazon warrior outfit. Mathurine was also a very religious woman and dedicated her jester’s Sceptre to God, just as knights would. Mathurine la Folle is probably best known for her assistance in stopping a man who had tried to assassinate King Henry IV by blocking his passage. The French would-be-assassin, Jean Châtel was later arrested and executed.
🃏 Read a book with a character who is female and works in a "man's job" or
As one of the few female jesters recorded in history books, Mathurine la Folle was a jester at the French court. She is thought to have lived between 1589-1627 during the reign of three kings, King Henry III, King Henry IV, and King Louis XIII. Mathurine didn’t wear the typical motley colours like the typical jesters of the Middle Ages, and instead she wore an Amazon warrior outfit. Mathurine was also a very religious woman and dedicated her jester’s Sceptre to God, just as knights would. Mathurine la Folle is probably best known for her assistance in stopping a man who had tried to assassinate King Henry IV by blocking his passage. The French would-be-assassin, Jean Châtel was later arrested and executed.
🃏 Read a book with a character who is female and works in a "man's job" or
with a character
who is an assassin or
set in France.
17. Stańczyk
A popular jester in Polish history, described as eloquent, witty, and intelligent, who used satire to comment on the nation's past, present, and future. He was employed by three Polish kings: Alexander, Sigismund the Old and Sigismund Augustus. Stańczyk became a popular historical figure in Polish literature after the partitions (1795). Some writers treated him as a symbol of Poland's struggle for independence, others provided him with rather Shakespearean traits.
🃏 Read a book set in Poland or
A popular jester in Polish history, described as eloquent, witty, and intelligent, who used satire to comment on the nation's past, present, and future. He was employed by three Polish kings: Alexander, Sigismund the Old and Sigismund Augustus. Stańczyk became a popular historical figure in Polish literature after the partitions (1795). Some writers treated him as a symbol of Poland's struggle for independence, others provided him with rather Shakespearean traits.
🃏 Read a book set in Poland or
where a character struggles to be independent or
a character who is
intelligent.
Shakespeare Fools
18. Feste
Feste, the wise fool and jester in Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night," uses humor and wordplay to offer insightful commentary on the play's events and characters, often revealing truths through his antic
🃏 Read Twelfth Night or
Feste, the wise fool and jester in Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night," uses humor and wordplay to offer insightful commentary on the play's events and characters, often revealing truths through his antic
🃏 Read Twelfth Night or
a
book with a pun in the title or
where a character tells the truth about
something.
19. Touchstone
Touchstone is a character in As You Like It. He is the court jester of Duke Frederick. Throughout the play he comments on the other characters and thus contributes to a better understanding of the play.
🃏 Read As You Like It or
Touchstone is a character in As You Like It. He is the court jester of Duke Frederick. Throughout the play he comments on the other characters and thus contributes to a better understanding of the play.
🃏 Read As You Like It or
with a character who understands a situation better than another or
where the
author's initials can be found in TOUCHSTONE.
20. The Fool
The Fool in "King Lear" is a complex character, offering both comic relief and poignant insights into the tragic events of the play, often using his seemingly simple observations to expose the madness and folly of the characters.
🃏 Read King Lear or
The Fool in "King Lear" is a complex character, offering both comic relief and poignant insights into the tragic events of the play, often using his seemingly simple observations to expose the madness and folly of the characters.
🃏 Read King Lear or
where
a character is mad (Your interpretation) or
a book that has a tragic event.
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