On a Fool

In more recent years, what defines a disability has changed dramatically. The standard used to be that the world was almost divided into those who were “able” and those who were “disabled.” That distinction, that line, was something most people discerned visibly–that is, one could see the person with no leg or missing an arm or blind or whatever physical issue was obvious. That is what has changed. The behavioral and social disabilities have become more understood and identified through research and study.

Take, for example, someone who might be on the autism spectrum. In the past, people and even doctors might label such a person as crazy or mad; that person might be institutionalized in something resembling a prison, even if capable of functioning in day-to-day activities. Interestingly, that type of reaction to someone who had different abilities was not present in, of all places, the royal court of King Henry VIII. That king, known for his voracious appetite in food, drink, and wives, also had an interesting response to people who were who had special needs: He elevated them to his group of advisors.

Now, hear me out. While the fact that an autistic person would be installed at a king’s court may seem strange even to us, Henry (and many of the so-called professionals of his day) saw something beneficial in having such people around. You see, people in power often have aides and assistants who tell them what they want to hear; these people too often say what is expedient or even self-serving without regard to truth or even what is the best thing for the powerful person to know or do. However, that sense of guile or deception is often not present in someone who lives with different mental abilities. They are often forthright, direct, and completely honest. So, it behooved the king to have people in court who would tell him not what he wanted to hear, but, rather, what was the truth. And, because there was no secret agenda in the hearts of these people, the king could trust what they said for the most part.

And, according to at least one article on the subject, the Tudors took great care of such people, assigning others to watch for them, help them with daily tasks, and insure that they were safe. They were also given clothing befitting someone who was in the presence of the King of England, items made of silks and other fine cloth. In fact, there is a painting of Henry and his court, and in the artwork are two people on the sides. On the right side is depicted a man named Will Somer. And on the left is a woman known as Jane, but we don’t know her last name. These two are examples of this type of courtier who had special needs.

However, despite their elevated status, the Tudors weren’t so politically correct when it came to labeling these folks. While not purposefully making people in court laugh like court jester would, they received a label nonetheless that reflects how that time period perceived their innocence and lack of guile.

They were known as Fools.