joculator
Quick Summary
A joculator was a medieval entertainer who, for hire, practiced various arts such as minstrelsy, narration, dancing, juggling, and mime. The term "minstrel" itself, derived from Latin, originally referred to any professional entertainer between the 12th and 17th centuries, including jugglers and storytellers, but more specifically denoted a musician.12
While the word "minstrel" replaced the earlier term "jongleur" around the 14th century, the profession of entertaining predates the name. Many minstrels were attached to courts, while others traveled widely, performing for patronage. Their art was largely based on memory and improvisation, with little of their music surviving. Minstrels were also associated with guilds in towns across Europe, which ensured training and work opportunities. The profession saw a decline after the 16th century as literacy increased and the distinction between minstrelsy and art music blurred. It is important to note that the term "minstrel" also refers to a type of performance troupe that caricatured Black performers, which promoted negative racial stereotypes and has since fallen out of favor.23
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danceFrom amateur to professional…for many centuries restricted to joculators, wandering bands of jugglers, dancers, poets, and musicians, who were generally regarded as social inferiors. The early ballets were performed almost exclusively by amateur dancers at court (though instructed by professional dancing masters) for whom dance was a means of demonstrating their own grace,…
Read More…for many centuries restricted to joculators, wandering bands of jugglers, dancers, poets, and musicians, who were generally regarded as social inferiors. The early ballets were performed almost exclusively by amateur dancers at court (though instructed by professional dancing masters) for whom dance was a means of demonstrating their own grace,…
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Western danceEcclesiastical attitudes and practices…into theatrical spectacle by the joculators, travelling comedians who combined the arts of dancer, juggler, acrobat, singer, actor, mime, and musician in one person.
Read More…into theatrical spectacle by the joculators, travelling comedians who combined the arts of dancer, juggler, acrobat, singer, actor, mime, and musician in one person.
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