Jesters and Devils

Book excerpt: Medici in Florence, after the restoration of 1512. Carafulla, historical Jester, leading the (Venetian) Ship of Fools in the pageant through the streets of Florence in the Midsummer festival of St John the Baptist,1514. The antics of the jesters have meaning. This is gradually unfolded during the journey of the ship in the book. It is done by focusing on the visual and narrative riddles of the jesters and other characters analysed with the help of a background on the festive tradition (Carnival) in Europe, and of published and unpublished (personal letters of the Medici) material. Gradually the pranks and jests reveal earnest and controversial contents which reflect on political relationships between Rome (the Medici pope, Leo X), Florence (the member of the Medici family ruling there) and the Republic of Venice (provider of fleets and reformist thought). Rumours, humours and emulations between Florence Rome and Venice.