In the final episode (for now, at least), we turn our minds to Dicky Pearce, the last true court jester of England. We also tie off some loose ends. And though parting is hard, we must say good-bye for now.Support the show (https://buymeacoffee

Last to Make the Queen Laugh

Mar 25th, 2021 27m 42s

We come to the final royal court jester of England in this episode about Jeffrey Hudson. Handed over at an early age for the queen's amusement, he would grow to resent the jokes at his expense. Though not a tall man, he took a stand and stood v

Armstrong the Headstrong

Mar 8th, 2021 19m 25s

Archibald Armstrong, one of the more famous later jesters of England, was a man ready to take on the most powerful men around him. His rise to court was unconventional, and his eventual fall from grace would not be the last word. Although the A

A Jester In Good Standing

Feb 22nd, 2021 18m 9s

Richard Tarlton was the closest thing to a rockstar that a jester could get. He entertained on public stages, as well as in the court of Queen Elizabeth I. In Episode 13, we dive in and explore the life of this wise-cracking fool. Support the s

Nobody's Fool

Feb 9th, 2021 33m 21s

Episode 12 explores the scholastic, satirical, and pivotal role that the famous Scotsman, George Buchanan, played in his momentous period of history. Challenging society, the clergy, and even the monarchy, it's a wonder he lived so long!Support

That's Why the Lady is a...Fool?

Jan 25th, 2021 21m 19s

In episode 11, Zachary delves into the life of Jane Foole. Through the events of her life, we explore the powerful women who supported Jane. This also serves as a platform for investigating the role women played in jester history. Support the s

The Favored Fool

Jan 11th, 2021 28m 12s

As 2021 kicks off, we open the year with the most famous English jester, Will Sommers, the favorite of Henry VIII and one of the few people who could talk a little sense into the monarch. With plenty of source material to play with, this episod

An Unwanted Promotion

Nov 16th, 2020 24m 22s

Caught between a political Cardinal and a vengeful King, Sexton found himself promoted to the role of a king's fool under abnormal, and undesired, circumstances. Like it or not, he still had to play his part in the most chaotic of times.Support

In Times of Division, the Jester Remains

Nov 9th, 2020 31m 7s

Zachary discusses the life of John Heywood, the jester-scholar of Henry VIII and his successors. In the age of Reformation, Heywood was forced to tread lightly due to his Catholic allegiance. With talent and wit, he wrote, performed, and sang h

A Fool Adrift

Nov 2nd, 2020 34m 46s

Episode 7 finds Zachary following the comical, though sometimes unscrupulous, life of John Scogan. A man with a habit of joking when no one felt like laughing, it would take him his whole life to find what mattered most to him.Support the show

A Fool Gone Mad

Oct 26th, 2020 26m 45s

For the week of Halloween, Zachary embarks on telling the story of Tom Skelton, a fool...and killer. What happens when a society thinks the best way to handle mental illness is to declare the suffering as "idiots" or "lunatics" and write them o

A Fool's Fools

Oct 19th, 2020 20m 10s

Edward II has not gone down in history as one of England's better kings. He did, however, leave us a trail of fools to follow. And that's exactly what Zachary does as he explores the king Edward was through the fools he kept.Support the show (h

A Fool Through Thick & Thin

Oct 12th, 2020 22m

Episode 4 finds Zachary exploring the loyal tomfoolery of Edward I's Tom le Fol. In times of war and times of celebration, Tom stood by a man who many despised and feared. The fool may not always get the respect deserved, but he was there for h

All Gassed Up

Oct 5th, 2020 17m 50s

Things get a little...well...gross as Zachary explores the life and bizarre career of Roland the Farter, jester and flatulist to the king. Although strange, his talent was rewarded handsomely. It just goes to show, if you work hard enough, you

The Saint's Jester

Sep 28th, 2020 24m 24s

Zachary delves into the life of Rahere, a professional fool who enjoyed life's many pleasures before trading the jester's cap for the holy man's cloth. He would then go on to build a historic church and hospital in London, serving those in need

A Few Good Fools

Sep 18th, 2020 23m

In Episode 1, Zachary gets the show kicked off and discusses three of the earliest court fools recorded in England: Hitard, Gollet, and Traillefer. Without them, history may have gone VERY differently!*SHOW EDIT: The correct name spelling for t

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