Claus Narr, Germany’s Most Famous Jester
history_docu_photo/Alamy Stock PhotoClaus Narr, or Claus Narren von Ranstedt, was a German court jester in Saxony.
Like many other jesters, most of Claus Narr’s life is left out of the history books, but what record there is of the man certainly illustrates why he was so popular at court.
According to Ancient Origins, a German noble first discovered Narr when he was about nine years old. Narr was a goose tender, and the noble was amused as he watched the boy try to pick up all of his birds at once. Narr reportedly attempted to carry his goslings by looping their necks through his belt. The reason? He feared they would be stolen if he couldn’t keep an eye on them at all times.
In fact, the noble, Elector Ernst, was so amused that he asked Narr’s father if he could bring him to court. Narr’s father evidently didn’t think highly of his son’s goose-tending ability because he responded, “That would be great, Sir! I’d be relieved of a great encumbrance thereby; the youth is no good to me — he makes nothing but trouble in my house and stirs up the whole village with his pranks.”
Narr’s pranks may not have sat well with the villagers, but they certainly made him popular among the courtiers.
