Episode 218 – William Somer: The King’s Fool with Dr Peter K. Andersson

Guest Bio

Peter K. Andersson is a Senior Lecturer in History at Örebro University in Sweden. He is the author of Streetlife in Late-Victorian London and Silent History: Body Language and Nonverbal Identity, 1860-1914. His latest book ‘ Fool: In Search of Henry VIII’s Closest Man’ will be released on 19 September 2023. 

Article: On A Fool’s Errand: Writing A Biography of Will Somer

Peter’s Takeaway

The Lodger Shakespeare: His Life on Silver Street by Charles Nicholl

Natalie Grueninger speaks with Dr Peter K. Andersson about William Somer, Henry VIII’s court fool.

Tune in to hear Natalie and Peter discuss:

– Somer’s early life

– His first appearance at the Tudor court

– The role and function of a court fool

– Somer’s appearance and personality

– How a court fool differed to an Elizabethan clown or a court jester

– Posthumous mythology around Somer

Listen Now! 

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