The Court Jester is a storytelling podcast that dives into the sauciest, funniest, and most outrageous stories of the Middle Ages. Hosted by medievalist and humour scholar Kleio Pethainou, each episode brings you a real tale from medieval literature—fabliaux, fables, legends, and more—featuring scandal, fart jokes, sex, tricksters, and chaotic peasant drama.
Think rude jokes, wild mishaps and the messiest love triangles you’ve never heard of (but absolutely should).
⚔️ Based on real medieval texts
📜 Translated and adapted with historical context
🎭 Told with flair, irreverence, and dark humour
If you're into medieval history, historical comedy, uncensored storytelling, or want to laugh at the weirdest things humans used to do—this one’s for you.
🔔 New episodes every other week.
Support the show on Patreon for bonus content and medieval mischief.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Court Jester is a storytelling podcast that dives into the sauciest, funniest, and most outrageous stories of the Middle Ages. Hosted by medievalist and humour scholar Kleio Pethainou, each episode brings you a real tale from medieval literature—fabliaux, fables, legends, and more—featuring scandal, fart jokes, sex, tricksters, and chaotic peasant drama.
Think rude jokes, wild mishaps and the messiest love triangles you’ve never heard of (but absolutely should).
⚔️ Based on real medieval texts
📜 Translated and adapted with historical context
🎭 Told with flair, irreverence, and dark humour
If you're into medieval history, historical comedy, uncensored storytelling, or want to laugh at the weirdest things humans used to do—this one’s for you.
🔔 New episodes every other week.
Support the show on Patreon for bonus content and medieval mischief.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This Easter Sunday, the Court Jester has a special treat usually reserved for Patreon supporters—a full bonus episode, free for all listeners!
Join me and the brilliant Peter Konieczny of Medievalists.net as we dive into the witty, sharp, and delightfully clever world of the Maqamat al-Hariri, one of the greatest collections of medieval Arabic trickster tales. Peter is brining one of these clever stories to life, and then we chat about the Maqamat, and about humour in translation, and about humour through time.
If you’ve ever wondered what made medieval Arabic audiences laugh, or just love a good con artist with a flair for words, this one’s for you.
If you enjoy it, consider supporting the Court Jester on Patreon for more episodes like this—normally behind the curtain!
🎵 Title music: “Celebration” by Alexander Nakarada
📖 Manuscript: Maqamat al-Hariri, 1237. BnF, MS Arabe 5847, fol. 138v.
📲 Updates & mischief: @kpethainou.bsky.social | @thecourtjesterpodcast on Facebook
🃏 Bonus content: patreon.com/CourtJesterPodcast
☕Buy me a coffee https://ko-fi.com/thecourtjesterpodcast
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.