First, A Few Words of Thanks…
The jester hats have come from many sources and foolocracy.com is grateful to everyone who has made it possible.
Thank you, morguefile.com. This is a very nice site, with high quality photographs and free too!
Then there are some special people foolocracy.com wishes to thank from flickr.com. These folks have generously allowed us to crop the hats off their pictures and use them.
Vlandyra 
Astarry 
Silver Marquis 
Second, A Little Something About Jesters…
The jester has a long, historical tradition. Contrary to modern perception, the jester is more than a clown or an entertainer. Although usually associated with medieval Europe, the jester goes back to the earliest period of civilization. Rome, China, India, even Africa and pre-Columbus America had varying roles for a jester.
It was in Europe where jesters had some of their greatest influence. Often called a fool, joker, clown or even less honorable names, the jester’s position was actually one of entertainment and political advice. The jester often walked a fine line between the acceptable and the profane. This, however, was because the jester could speak of things no one else in a king’s court dare.
Since the jester did outrageous things all the time, he could speak the grave truth and get away with it as something said in “jest”. The jester could dispense advice to a king that no one else dare. Undoubtedly, many who wished to influence the king did so through the jester.
The fine line between entertainer and advisor did not give the jester immunity, however. Advice that was too critical could lead to the same fate as any other who opposed the king. Many jesters lost their jobs and lives by overstepping their verbal license.
A jester did not have to be of noble birth. He could be a commoner. He could be learned as a monk or a scholar. He could also be an apprentice of a trade or even a peasant. Jesters were often employed by nobles and could move up to the royal court, as their antics became known. As such, the jester was one of the few upwardly mobile positions in medieval times. Some became quite famous in their day, like a David Letterman or Jay Leno.
Jesters were entertainers foremost. Even their clothes were to make them look like a clown. With dangling bells, colorful and mismatching patterns, the jester was amusing to look at. The jester’s cap or cockscomb had three points for the ears and tail of the ass.
Many jesters were gifted athletes. They were gymnasts and jugglers, even magicians in a simple way. The jester was not to be taken seriously. His job was to bring laughs. Some were dwarfs or even slightly mentally challenged. The expert jesters were much more. They were as erudite as any of the King’s councilors.
Although the antonym of a fool is a sage or genius, the jester was the real master of wit. It is not a coincidence that in a deck of cards, the joker is the wild card. In a king’s court, the jester was also the wild card.
Today, the roles are reversed for the jester. He once amused the king, ruler of a nation. Now it seems that the rulers amuse the people with their antics. No longer are we a monarchy or democracy, but a foolocracy where the jesters run the court.
A few pictures…
William Sommers, jester for Henry VIII, and one of the most famous jesters of all time.
A painting of Gonella, jester of Borda, Duke of Ferrara.
A portrait of Kunz von der Rosen, court jester of Emperor Maximilian I.
In medieval Europe many dwarfs became court jesters.
And A Little About Foolocracy…
Foolocracy.com places a spotlight on the arrogance and silliness of the fools who run governments. We also include stories about those who seek political office and those in appointed positions of power, such as the military or cabinet posts. Although Foolocracy leans towards reporting news about fools in the United States Government, we seek out fools wherever they maybe found. Foolocracy passionately attempts to be non-partisan.
Foolocracy.com is the creation of Glenn Church. A native Californian whose detection and dissection of political foolishness has been honed by years of arguing politics and drinking beer (as well as most other spirits). In a more serious life, Glenn has been involved in numerous political campaigns, international human rights and environmental issues. Now he is simply trying to bring a little attention to the powerful and wannabe powerful who are foolishly arrogant.
