Adelsburn (Burkard Kasper), jester to George I. He was not only a fun-maker, but also a ghostly adviser of the Hanoverian.
Aksakoff, the fool of Czarina Elizabeth of Russia (mother of Peter II.). He was a stolid brute, fond of practical jokes.
Angély (L.) jester to Louis XIV., and last of the licensed fools of France. He is mentioned by Boileau in Satires i. and viii.
Aopi (Monsignore), who succeeded Soglia as the merryman of Pope Gregory XVI.
Armstrong (Archie), jester in the courts of James I. and Charles I. One of the characters in Scott’s novel, The Fortunes of Nigel. Being condemned to death by King James for sheep-stealing, Archie implored that he might live till he had read his Bible through for his soul’s weal. This was granted, and Archie rejoined, with a sly look, “Then de’il tak’ me ’gin I ever read a word on’t!”
Berdic, “joculator” to William the Conqueror. Three towns and five caracutes in Gloucestershire were given him by the king.
Bluet d’Arbéres (seventeenth century), fool to the duke of Mantua. During a pestilence he conceived the idea of offering his life as a ransom for his countrymen, and actually starved himself to death to stay the plague.
Bonny (Patrick), jester to the regent Morton.
Borde (Andrew), usually called “Merry Andrew,” physician to Henry VIII. (1500-1549).
Brusquet. Of this court fool Brantôme says: “He never had his equal in repartee” (1512-1563).