[Sam Gordon Campbell]

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.

[Michael B.]

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/

[Julian Reynolds]

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

[Sam Gordon Campbell]

Ah, cheers Julian and Michael, these are the kind of info I was looking for.

[Ken Speed]

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.

[Sam Gordon Campbell]

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.

[A. Elema]

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.

[E. Storesund]

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

[Lafayette C Curtis]

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

http://www.gotmedieval.com/

[Sam Gordon Campbell]

Elema: I had quite a laugh at that poem. I may even recite some verses.
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.

[Craig Peters]

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.

[Sam Gordon Campbell]

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.