“Jesters do oft prove prophets”, wrote Shakespeare in 1605 for the play King Lear. His words give us some insight into the role that jesters played in medieval and early Renaissance Europe. Far from the clown performers we know today, they played an important role in the social culture of the court, often acting as the face of social conscience. By satirizing social customs and making fun of everyone from the kings to the bishops, they were often catalysts for social change. Read Less