Court Jester

A court jester was an entertainer employed by medieval monarchs and noble households to amuse and entertain through humor, storytelling, music, and wit. Unlike modern comedians, jesters often used satire and clever wordplay to comment on court events or societal issues, sometimes providing a rare voice of candid insight. Their role combined entertainment with social commentary, functioning within the political and cultural environment of the court. Jesters often wore distinctive, colorful costumes and jester hats with bells, making them easily recognizable. Their purpose was to provoke laughter, offer relief from courtly life, and sometimes challenge authority through humor.