The MISERABLE Life of a Medieval Court Jester

Get early episodes & ad-free audio on Patreon: https://patreon.com/DrowsyHistorian Tonight’s story is not about kings or knights, but about the man in motley—the one forced to laugh, juggle, and mock his own suffering for the amusement of those in power. The story follows the path of a child dragged into court to play the fool, where every joke is a risk and every silence, a warning. Behind the bells and slapstick lies humiliation, isolation, and a constant tightrope walk between survival and spectacle. From his first performance to his last bow, the jester's life is one of exploitation disguised as entertainment. Laughter becomes currency. Dignity becomes optional. And when the world moves on, all that’s left is a mask, a costume, and the echo of forced applause. 🛏️ Drowsy Historian’s Favorite Sleep Tools Looking to upgrade your nighttime routine? These are a few things I personally use or recommend: • Sleep Earbuds for Enhanced Immersion → https://amzn.to/4pVFoJy • Blanket Soft Enough to Make the Plague Feel Tolerable → https://amzn.to/3GSOq8f • Weighted Blanket for Pretending You’re a Mummified Pharaoh → https://amzn.to/4kVJCgE • Sleep Mask Headphones For Total Historical Escape → https://amzn.to/4nWsNVn • Book Light for Reading About Plagues at 2AM → https://amzn.to/4eSg0iu • White Noise Machine for Blocking Out the 21st Century → https://amzn.to/3GJ9jTw These are affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show while staying cozy. #medievalhistory #darkhistory #jester #historyforsleep #medievalcourt #drowsyhistorian #historicalstorytelling #bedtimestory #bleakhistory #medievaleurope