Medieval+Entertainment

What did medieval children do when they didn’t have televisions or iPods? They couldn’t go to the nearest movie theater, instead they watched jesters, drama, and listened to troubadours. Middle Age entertainment has greatly influenced what we do. We still go watch our favorite bands perform and we go watch plays. Things are not that different now.

 Today people reenact the Middle Ages. They have festivals with jousting, jesters, lots of food, and knights ( Yarrow). Like the Middle Ages they had lots of things to do. During the Middle Ages when they wanted a laugh they could watch a jester who sang, danced, and told jokes. Troubadours, minstrels, and trovourers stood on corners, or performed for kings and noblemen. Dramas, comedies, and musicals were performed in arenas or in the King’s courts. When the people needed something to do they had plenty to do. = = =**JESTERS** = Jesters were the comedians of their time. Unlike everyone else, they could poke and pick at the kings (Jesters para 4). They sang jingles, played instruments, and danced. They didn’t travel much, only with their king or nobleman. They stayed with their masters.

Sometimes jesters performed on streets, arenas, or the king’s court. They always brought crowds and the fun. In the King's court, the King, his friends, and noblemen watched. On streets the common people watched. In an arena anyone could watch!

Jesters typically wore checkered outfits, usually with bright or contrasting colors, and hats with bells. The bells were for decoration and noise. The checkered outfits were to catch your eye. You could not miss them. As soon as you saw them you knew what they were.

**MUSIC ** Troubadours were traveling musicians from Italy. They sang about love most of the time. They sang on streets, and anywhere else they could. Typically, they stayed in one place for a lengthy period of time under the patronage of a wealthy nobleman or woman. Troubadours could be classified in many different social standings. Their music was straight forward and easy to understand.

A minstrel was a medieval musician who performed songs whose lyrics told stories about distant places or about real or imaginary historical events. Though minstrels created their own tales, often they would memorize and embellish the works of others. Frequently they were retained by royalty and high society. Minstrels were simply servants at Court, and entertained the lord and courtiers. They were often considered poets (Minstrels 1,2,3).

Life as a musician could be tough. You never had a permanent home. You traveled and performed to make a living. It was hard to have a family. Young children were not ideal for them.

Another form on entertainment was the theater. There was drama which was usually sad. There was comedy where everything was happy. A musical was another. Musicals were stories told by song.
 * [[image:thearte.jpg align="right" caption="absoluteastronomy.com"]]THEATER **

Anyone man who wanted to could act! The better actors were seen more and were better paid. The actors could play in various roles. Women were not allowed to act. Men would dress up as ladies!

They would perform in many places. On streets, castles, and anywhere else they could. People would always watch. If the crowd did not like it, they could throw food at them and boo them off the stage! Some actors traveled everywhere!

Medieval entertainment was certainly different. Without it, we would not have some of the ideas we have now! Back then, without the technology we have now, they still had fun. Compared to now, it may not seem so great but back then they were always having a blast.

**Works Cited **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">"Medieval Jesters." //Medieval Life and Times//. Web. 07 Apr. 2011. <http://www.medieval-life-and-times.info/medieval-life/medieval-jesters.htm>. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">"Medieval Minstrels." //Medieval Life and Times//. Web. 07 Apr. 2011. <http://www.medieval-life-and-times.info/ medieval-music/minstrels.htm>. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">Yarrow, Andrew L. "Jousting, Knights, and Roving." //The New York Times// 23 Sept. 1988. Print

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