In the late middle ages, clowns emerged as a professional comic– actors imitating the antics of Court Jesters who humored kings. The Court jesters were members of the royal court staff. The Jester were often catalysts for social change. The Jesters were given freedoms granted to no one else. They could answer back to anyone in authority and make jest of almost anyone or anything without fear of punishment.

The Jesters wore bright costumes:

• green and saffron colored 
• bells 
• jagged collars 
• coats 
• pointed three color caps. 

Their skills consisted of: 

• juggling 
• acrobatics 
• storytelling 
• puppetry 
• magic 
• contortion 
• tightrope walking 
• fire eating 
• working with animals 
French Jesters such as Triboulet and Caillette (1525-40)
and
English Jesters such as Somers (1560) and Tarlton (1588) 

Entertain royalty with skills: 

• music 
• dance 
• mime 
• wit . 

Those not fortunate enough to be hired by the King, wandered the streets as minstrels, attracting an audience where ever they could.

The word “clown” which meant “clod”, came into being during the 16th century. It was during this time, the period of the Renaissance, that the Italian clowns came alive.

The Harlequin clown originated in the Italian theater. His mission was to spoil the tricks of the other clowns.

The traditionally a Harlequin wore:

• a black and white checkered suit 
• white ruffle collar 
• black mask. 
   

A type of Harlequin
 As the clown moved to the stage he began to play roles as clumsy, slow-witted servants but they kept their variety skills. 
 

Around 1642 there came a somber period in clowning history. The Puritans closed the English theaters. When the theaters reopened in 1660, clowns were not welcome in the sedate drama of the Restoration. Undaunted, English clowns continued to perform on improvised stages and in the street.