ioculare

The term "ioculare" refers to a wandering entertainer in medieval Europe, also known as a joculator. These entertainers practiced various arts for hire, including minstrelsy, narration, dancing, juggling, and mime. They were often indistinguishable from jongleurs in medieval France, who also served as professional storytellers and public entertainers.12

These performers entertained in marketplaces, abbeys, and noble castles. Their roles evolved, and by the 15th and 16th centuries, their legacy contributed to the development of secular interludes, which were dramatic sketches performed by small companies of actors. These interludes were distinct from earlier morality plays and focused on secular themes rather than morals.23