Nigel Roder
Encyclopedia
Nigel Roder, also known professionally as Kester the Jester, was designated the official State Jester of England
in 2004. The prior jester of record, Muckle John, vacated the position shortly after his employer, King Charles I of England
, was beheaded in 1649.
Roder was appointed by English Heritage
after winning a jesting competition. Subsequently the Guild of Jesters complained through their spokesman, Jonathan the Jester, that English Heritage should not be allowed to use the title of State Jester. Several guild members also wrote to their MPs
. After the question was raised in Parliament, Kester's title was amended to 'English Heritage Jester' a role that was later taken over by 'Peterkin the Fool' (again after a controversial competition). The position was subsequently abandoned by the state.
Nigel Roder is currently working throughout the United Kingdom as an entertainer both in his jester role and as a teacher of circus skills workshops.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in 2004. The prior jester of record, Muckle John, vacated the position shortly after his employer, King Charles I of England
Charles I of England
Charles I was King of England, King of Scotland, and King of Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. Charles engaged in a struggle for power with the Parliament of England, attempting to obtain royal revenue whilst Parliament sought to curb his Royal prerogative which Charles...
, was beheaded in 1649.
Roder was appointed by English Heritage
English Heritage
English Heritage . is an executive non-departmental public body of the British Government sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport...
after winning a jesting competition. Subsequently the Guild of Jesters complained through their spokesman, Jonathan the Jester, that English Heritage should not be allowed to use the title of State Jester. Several guild members also wrote to their MPs
MPS
MPS may refer to:* Robinson List, aka Mail Preference Service, direct mail opt-out system* Malmin Palloseura, association football club from Helsinki, Finland.* Marginal propensity to save* Master Production Schedule...
. After the question was raised in Parliament, Kester's title was amended to 'English Heritage Jester' a role that was later taken over by 'Peterkin the Fool' (again after a controversial competition). The position was subsequently abandoned by the state.
Nigel Roder is currently working throughout the United Kingdom as an entertainer both in his jester role and as a teacher of circus skills workshops.