WILLIAM SOMMERS,THE COURT JESTER OR COURT FOOL TO HENRY VIII KING OF ENGLAND

William Sommers, was the favourite Court Jester of Henry VIII of England. He was first presented to the King at Geenwich Palace in 1525, by Richard Fermor, a merchant of the staple at Calais.

These merchants were predominately exporters of raw wool and leather and it was here, when Calais was still under English control, that they were required to submit their exports for inspection and pay taxes on their exports to Europe, making it easier for the Crown to monitor.

Not much is known about Will or William Sommers, the Court Fool, but a lot of what is written is fiction.

It is known he was born in Shropshire and first appeared at King Henry's Court as a skinny youth with a pronounced stoop.

Greatly impressed with Will Sommers sense of humour, Henry immediately offered him a place at Court, where it didn't take long for him to become very highly regarded by the King. He remained in Henry's service for the rest of the King's life.

There was no one else who could lift King Henry VIII out of his terrible fits of depression, as well as William Sommers could. The King loved the way he prattled on and the easy way he could improvise verse. He could ask the King for anything he wanted and was given it.

He was described by Stow and other historians and chroniclers as being the King's jester and/or musician. Rahere, was a remarkable man, who after sharing the king's tragic experiences, was converted from his self-indulgent lifestyle and sinful ways. In return for being cured of malaria, he promised to build a Hospital for the Restoration of Poor Men.

It was at Smithfield in London, that, after undergoing a terrifying Supernatural experience, he founded the Church of St. Bartholomew the Great and the Hospital of St. Bartholomew, fondly known as the Famous St. Barts Hospital in London.

Once you have read the story of William Sommers, return here to these links to read about Rahere and the Founding and building of the Church of St. Bartholomew the Great, or alternatively, follow the links at the bottom of this page).

The Court Jesters were allowed to be familier with Royalty, getting away with almost anything.

However, there is a story that King Henry threatened to kill one of them with his own hands, when he made a remark about Anne Boleyn, calling her a ribald and referring to Princess Elizabeth as a bastard.

Some authorities accuse Sommers of being the culprit, while others place the blame fairly and squarely on Patch, another jester at Henry's Court.

Very often Sommers would draw King Henry's attention to all the extravagance and waste which went on within the royal household by means of a joke, a fact which was well appreciated by Thomas Cromwell, the King's chief Minister.

The comedy actor and author of Foole upon Foole, Robert Armin, relates how Sommers humiliated the King's juggler Thomas, one day. Carrying milk and a breadroll, he interrupted the juggler's performance and asked the King for a spoon. Replying that he didn't have a spoon Sommers told the King to use his hands and then sang:

This bit Harry I give to thee and this next bit must serve for me, Both which I'll eat apace. This bit Madam unto you, And this bit I my selfe eate now, And the rest upon thy face.

He threw the milk in his face and ran out. Thomas was never seen in Court again.

Sommers remained at Court after the death of King Henry, eventually retiring during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1.

It is probably him, whose death is recorded in the parish of St. Leonards, Shoreditch, on June 15th 1560. This Church is the final resting place of several members of the theatrical profession from the Elizabethan era.

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