Peter K. Andersson

The first biography of Henry VIII's court fool William Somer, a legendary entertainer and one of the most intriguing figures of the Tudor age. In some portraits of Henry VIII, there appears another striking figure—a gaunt and morose-looking man with a shaved head and, in one case, a monkey on his shoulder. This is William or 'Will' Somer, the king's...

The first biography of Henry VIII's court fool William Somer, a legendary entertainer and one of the most intriguing figures of the Tudor age. In some portraits of Henry VIII, there appears another striking figure—a gaunt and morose-looking man with a shaved head and, in one case, a monkey on his shoulder. This is William or 'Will' Somer, the king's...