Nichola (fool) facts for kids

Nichola, also known as Nicolle, was a special entertainer called a "fool" or "jester" for Mary, Queen of Scots. She worked for the Queen around the years 1560 to 1570.

Mary's Royal Jester

Nichola was a French entertainer who came to Scotland with Mary, Queen of Scots in 1561. She was known as a "fool" or "jester," which meant she performed to entertain the Queen and her court. After Mary gave up her crown in 1567, Nichola stayed at the Scottish court. This court was then led by Mary's half-brother, Regent Moray. Nichola was also called "La Jardinière", which means "the gardener" or "flower-vase" in French.

Life at Court

One of Nichola's helpers was a French courtier named Jacqueline Cristoflat. Other jesters at the court included Conny, Jane Colquhoun, Janet Musche, and Foysir. We don't know much about Nichola's performances. But we do know about the special costumes she wore. These were written down in the royal records. Historian John Guy believes Queen Mary enjoyed joking with Nichola. He thinks Mary liked to show her playful side with her jester.

Jester's Costumes

In November 1561, Nichola received a costume. It was made of grey cloth with green fabric. In February 1563, another costume was made for a jester. It used green cloth and lots of red and yellow wool decorations. The red and yellow colors might have been a nod to the Stewart family's royal symbols.

In December 1563, Nichola got a blue velvet hat. Three other large blue velvet hats were made at the same time for a court masque. This suggests Nichola likely performed in this special masked play. In February 1564, the Queen's tailor made Nichola a gown. It was yellow and violet with decorations. In March 1567, she received linen for shirts and other items.

Nichola's Comforts

In October 1565, Nichola received a new bed with green coverings. Queen Mary also gave her one of her own old white gowns. In 1564, Nichola was given a blue velvet hat and linen. Jacqueline, her helper, was given fabric to make six shirts and caps for Nichola. One of Mary's bedsheets was even cut up to make handkerchiefs for Nichola.

After Mary's Reign

After Mary was held at Lochleven Castle and had to give up her crown, some of her servants joined her half-brother's household. Others received money from him. In January 1568, Regent Moray gave Nichola forty shillings. In February, he gave her and her helper £20 and 18 shillings. In May 1569, he gave Nichola twenty shillings and black cloth for a gown.

In December 1569, Regent Moray paid for another costume for Nichola. It included a grey gown with white, red, and yellow fabric, and grey socks. At the same time, he paid for Nichola's and her helpers' costs. This covered expenses from February 1567 to December 1569. Moray also bought clothes for Nageir, Mary's African servant. Nageir was known as a "Moor" and may have helped with Mary's horse.

Nageir might have been the "Moor" mentioned in Regent Moray's funeral costs. He was bought clothes when he left Scotland for France in April 1570. Nichola received two gowns with hoods in February 1570. In August 1570, Regent Lennox gave Nichola £15 to travel to France.

Who Was Nichola?

There are records of a jester called "La Jardinière" who worked for Catherine de' Medici in France starting in 1556. It's possible this was the same woman as Nichola. Her helper in July 1560 was Charlotte Mariel. This jester was bought special slippers and a gown with white fur.

An older record mentions payments to women in the household of Mary's mother, Mary of Guise. This was before Mary of Guise became Regent of Scotland in 1554. It includes money paid to a "Jardinnier" to go to France. Some people think there might have been two French entertainers called "La Jardinière." They suggest "Jardinière" might have been a family name shared by Nichola and another jester named Catherine.

Nichola in Fiction

The story of Nichola's life has inspired a novel for young adults. It is called Queen's Own Fool: A Novel of Mary Queen of Scots (Penguin, 2000). It was written by Jane Yolen and Robert J. Harris.

Other Jesters

Other jesters recorded at the Scottish court include Robesoun. He worked for Regent Arran starting in 1546. Around the year 1600, Anne of Denmark was entertained by a jester named Tom Durie.