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.
Happy Halloween, friends of the Jester.
This year’s special comes from deep in the shadowed corners of the Balkans — a 9th-century ballad known in Greece as The Song of the Dead Brother, with haunting cousins in Serbia and Bulgaria. Nothing sets the Halloween mood quite like Balkan folklore — mournful, gothic, and just a little too close to the bone. It isn’t funny. It isn’t light.
It’s a tale about oaths and the ruin they bring, and how a mother’s grief can shake the dead.
This is also the first ever Court Jester episode told entirely on video. You can watch it on YouTube or Patreon.
If you like your medieval tales with a touch of the macabre, this one’s for you.
Happy haunting!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.