Wanted: Court Jester

[Guest evenflowDDT]

From CNN:

 

Wednesday, August 4, 2004 Posted: 3:27 PM EDT (1927 GMT)

LONDON, England (AP) -- English Heritage, guardian of various historic sites in Britain, is advertising for someone to be the nation's first court jester since 1649.

 

An ad appearing in Thursday's editions of The Times laid out the qualifications: "Must be mirthful and prepared to work summer weekends in 2005. Must have own outfit (with bells). Bladder on stick provided if required."

 

Auditions will be held Saturday at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire, and the winner will have to negotiate a salary, English Heritage said.

 

The court jester's position died along with King Charles I, who was executed by Oliver Cromwell's supporters in 1649. The monarchy was restored 11 years later, but the position of jester did not return.

 

"It is about time we had a jester again," said Tracy Borman, the agency's director of education, events and outreach.

 

"It is one of those roles that fell by the wayside when Cromwell made Britain a republic, but there is no reason not to bring it back now."

 

When I was younger, I had an interest in jesters. And possibly, the only sweeter medieval figure was Rasputin. If I had the money for a ticket and no other responsibilities, I'd so be there.

 

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[Guest Fook]

Bladder on stick provided if required.

 

A what?!

[Henry Spencer]

the only sweeter medieval figure was Rasputin

 

Rasputin was hardly a medieval figure.

[Art Sandusky]

This is my calling in life.

 

But I don't have the money to fly over.

[Guest evenflowDDT]

the only sweeter medieval figure was Rasputin

 

Rasputin was hardly a medieval figure.

True, but he's still sweeter than your average court jester. Like, there's probably one somewhere along the line who had the king under his spell and cheated death three times, but most just pranced around with inflated bladders.