Throughout history, Jester’s and entertainers have had a prominent role at court in the
royal household.
Each day the Royal Family and nobility would need entertaining often during banquets, and
during Elizabeth I’s reign some plays were even performed in the Queen’s residence.
But one of the most serious and feared Queens to ever have ruled over England is Mary I,
the eldest child of King Henry VIII.
Mary became known as Bloody Mary for her burning of Protestants in horrific scenes.
Mary lived a rather tragic life, she had been shunned at court following Henry VIII’s
splitting from her mother Catherine of Aragon.
Her mother was also treated terribly by the King, practically living in prison held in
houses at the King’s will.
Mary also throughout her life was rather sick and suffered with problems that led to swellings
with her stomach.
When she became Queen she suffered with phantom pregnancy and many linked to this possible
ovarian cancer.
But Mary I blamed heretics for her lack of heir, and with this persecuted people further.
She was a feared and terrifying woman, but there was one woman who was known for entertaining
Mary, and also one of the only women to have made the infamous Queen laugh.
But who is this remarkable woman?
Jane the Fool or Jane Foole as she is referred to was an interesting and rather rare figure
in Medieval and Tudor history, being a female jester.
Her birth and early years have never been recorded, and we know little of her life before
she came to court.
Her existence is recorded through the accounts mentioned by Anne Boleyn in the last year
of her life and through other records of Henry VIII’s queens, and also through documents
relating to Mary I. During the reign of Anne Boleyn in December 1535, a green satin cap
and 25 yards of purple and red fringe used for trimming a dress were purchased by the
crown for ‘her Graces’ woman fool,’ presumable Jane.
It’s believed that Jane had a learning disability, and when Anne Boleyn was executed, Jane went
into the care of Princess Mary’s household, the future Queen Mary I. Here she was looked
after and cared for, and Jane was treaded with affection by Mary, despite having her
head shaved every few weeks as male fools had to do this.
Jane actually developed an infection of her scalp in 1543 from this, and in Mary’s household
she was given an expensive wardrobe, music lessons and also lots of shoes.
In one account in 1542 it was said that, ‘a pair of shoes for Jane and another for Lucrece.’
As in Lucretia the Tumbler another woman in Mary’s household were purchased.
Lucretia was a trained entertainer, and Jane was more of a natural fool or comedian, and
Lucretia kept a close eye over Jane.
Jane was alongside other Tudor fools and jesters such as Will Sommers who was greatly loved
and liked by Henry VIII.
Some claim that Jane may have been romantically involved with Sommers but it is unlikely.
In 1543, Henry VIII married Catherine Parr and when Mary and Elizabeth were restored
to the throne, Catherine Parr brought Jane Mary’s beloved fool into her own household.
The new Queen let Jane care for a flock of chickens in the privy garden, and also this
helped Jane have some responsibilities.
But around this time, there was a very famous painting titled ‘The Family of Henry VIII
completed and in this it’s believed that Jane was shown in the back of one part of
the background of the images.
The painting shows Jane Seymour not Catherine Parr alongside the King, and in the background
is Henry’s fool Will Sommers with a monkey on his back, but also to the left is Jane
the Fool.
She’s looking away at something out of the painting, and is wearing a tight fitting cap
covering her shaved head, and her uniform is rather fashionable.
Her gown has an outer gown known as a kirtle, with a collar in the front and a pleated underskirt.
By adding Jane and Will to these images it shows how well thought of they were.
Also Mary is in the image, and is in front of Jane.
Following Henry VIII’s death, it’s not entirely known what happened to Jane but in
1553 there was a new batch of orders for the newly crowned Mary I purchased.
In this, fine gowns and petticoats were ordered for One made from lace, silk and satin, and
these would usually be worn by the Queen’s ladies and nobles, but it shows how well Jane
was thought of.
But as Mary I’s fool, the Queen’s fool, her role at court would have been telling
interesting, captivating and funny stories, along with jokes, singing songs and also playing
music throughout.
Mary I had a strong fondness for Jane as they spent so much time together, and she was referred
to as ‘our fool,’ showing her affection, and the pair also went horse riding together
and gambled together.
This shows that Jane was one of Mary’s closest friends, and she was given special lodgings
and apartments, and was also given matching outfits to perform alongside Will Sommers.
During a Saint Valentine’s Day tradition, Jane was included in the lottery and with
this the men of court drew a ladies name, and this would be their dancing partner.
Once chosen the women had to buy gifts for their valentines, and the Queen bought Jane’s
gift for her.
Jane was well clothed better than many members of court, and she regularly practised sewing
and needlework, and her daily living costs were paid for by Mary I. In later 1555, Jane
suffered from illness or infection in her eyes, and was treated by the Queen’s physician,
and Mary paid for this care and someone to tend to her around the clock.
Right up until Mary’s death, Jane the Fool was close with the Queen and she continued
to order clothes for her.
But following Mary’s death, there was no mention of Jane further.
It’s not known if she also too passed away, or whether she was not accepted into Elizabeth’s
household.
Jane the Fool was a valued member of Queen Mary I’s household and her staff.
She was very well respected and was loved by the Queen.
She was a skilled performer and must have been one of the Queen’s most closest confidents.
Mary saw it as her duty to care and look after Jane, and she did this very well.
But Jane was one of the only women who could make the most serious Tudor Queen laugh and
smile, and during her darkest moments, Jane bought her some comfort.
Thanks for watching
To support our channel please make sure to subscribe