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Sam Gordon Campbell




Location: Australia.
Joined: 16 Nov 2008

Posts: 678

PostPosted: Sat 08 Jan, 2011 1:16 am    Post subject: Medieval Comedy: Sources?         Reply with quote

A quick query if I may.
I have been given the task by my local reenacting group to emcee an event over two days.
But there's a catch...
They made the request that I do it in the manner of the Fool, the Jester etc.
So, my question is thus, can anyone direct me to (even after using my poor Google-Fu) any resources relating to Medieval Comedy (Excluding Dante and Chaucer [as I'm currently looking into them]), espesicaly anything that would do well when performed live.
Arms and armour jokes are also good... Y'know, like Henry's codpiece.
Cheers.

P.S. And yes, I will be using a pigs bladder with dried peas to bop people on the head with.



 Attachment: 192.43 KB
butttrumpet.png
Just thought a funny picture would help... Also might try it for laughs :P

Member of Australia's Stoccata School of Defence since 2008.
Host of Crash Course HEMA.
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Michael B.
Industry Professional



Location: Seattle, WA
Joined: 18 Oct 2007

Posts: 367

PostPosted: Sat 08 Jan, 2011 1:43 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

I don't know if you're looking for a modern twist or not, but Axel the Sot is pretty well known. http://www.chivalry.com/axel/
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Michael Bergstrom
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Julian Reynolds




Location: United Kingdom
Joined: 30 Mar 2008

Posts: 271

PostPosted: Sat 08 Jan, 2011 2:22 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

If it's mediaeval humour, anecdote, scatology etc. that you're looking for, I would suggest getting a copy of 'The Secret Middle Ages' by Malcolm Jones (ISBN 0750926856) - masses upon masses of stuff in there that will raise all manner of smiles (and will shock the easily offended, too).

Not an internet resource, I know, but then most good resources aren't!

You may try looking up Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks (not the Strauss orchestral piece but the fantastical humorous tales) or the tale of Solomon and Marcolf.

Alternatively, get yourself a re-print of a mediaeval bestiary (there are many) and look up some of the many myths and fantasies surrounding animals (both real and imaginary) - always good for a mediaeval anecdote.

Julian
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Sam Gordon Campbell




Location: Australia.
Joined: 16 Nov 2008

Posts: 678

PostPosted: Sun 09 Jan, 2011 1:16 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Ah, cheers Julian and Michael, these are the kind of info I was looking for. Big Grin
Member of Australia's Stoccata School of Defence since 2008.
Host of Crash Course HEMA.
Founder of The Van Dieman's Land Stage Gladiators.
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Ken Speed





Joined: 09 Oct 2006

Posts: 656

PostPosted: Sun 09 Jan, 2011 9:22 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Sam,

You might want to get a copy of The Venetian Twins by Carlo Goldoni it was written in the early 1700's but is an adaptation from a Greek or Roman play so the humor is virtually timeless. It would be ideal if there is a video of it somewhere! There's a lot of bawdiness and double entendre, plays on words, sight gags; I'm sure you could mine it for a skit or two.

I saw the play a long time ago but I remember it as one of the funniest things I've ever seen.
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Sam Gordon Campbell




Location: Australia.
Joined: 16 Nov 2008

Posts: 678

PostPosted: Sun 09 Jan, 2011 5:53 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Cheers Ken.
I did a quick search for it and found out that it was performed here in Australia once before, so that might be a lead I can follow up.
Thanks again guys.

Member of Australia's Stoccata School of Defence since 2008.
Host of Crash Course HEMA.
Founder of The Van Dieman's Land Stage Gladiators.
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A. Elema





Joined: 09 Nov 2010

Posts: 38

PostPosted: Mon 10 Jan, 2011 2:30 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

The French poems known as fabliaux are pretty bawdy. Here's a translation of my favorite one, Berengier of the Long Ass. http://freespace.virgin.net/nigel.nicholson/Berenger.htm

If you have time to look it up, the verse translation of the same poem in Eichmann and DuVal's Fabliaux, Fair and Foul is livlier, IMO.
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E. Storesund





Joined: 10 Jan 2011

Posts: 101

PostPosted: Tue 11 Jan, 2011 8:15 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

I have no idea about the material concerning medieval performance, but the Icelandic sagas are loaded to the teeth with ironic remarks.
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Lafayette C Curtis




Location: Indonesia
Joined: 29 Nov 2006
Reading list: 7 books

Posts: 2,698

PostPosted: Tue 11 Jan, 2011 9:09 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

I assume you're already familiar with Carl Pyrdum's blog?

http://www.gotmedieval.com/
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Sam Gordon Campbell




Location: Australia.
Joined: 16 Nov 2008

Posts: 678

PostPosted: Tue 11 Jan, 2011 7:27 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Elema: I had quite a laugh at that poem. I may even recite some verses. Laughing Out Loud
Storesund: I'll be sure to look into that, as I've been meaning to read them someday too.
And Curtis, I was aware of it, but could never recall the name.
Cheers guys.

Member of Australia's Stoccata School of Defence since 2008.
Host of Crash Course HEMA.
Founder of The Van Dieman's Land Stage Gladiators.
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Craig Peters




PostPosted: Tue 11 Jan, 2011 9:47 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Hey Sam,

Did you ever think of using modern translations from the Canterbury Tales for stories? They might be a little long, but you could always abridge them yourself. "The Miller's Tale" might raise eyebrows, or "The Merchant's Tale" might be a good one, too.
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Sam Gordon Campbell




Location: Australia.
Joined: 16 Nov 2008

Posts: 678

PostPosted: Thu 13 Jan, 2011 6:26 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Actualy, that's a good idea Craig. I may just end up adding that to my repertoire.
Also, do you lot think I should roll my R's as often as feasibly possible? Might add some 'texture' to the shtick.

Member of Australia's Stoccata School of Defence since 2008.
Host of Crash Course HEMA.
Founder of The Van Dieman's Land Stage Gladiators.
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