Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 22, 2026

Cap and bells

The cap and bells is a type of fool's cap with bells worn by a court fool or jester. The bells were also added to the dangling sleeves and announced the appearance of the jester.

Last revised
Jun 22, 2026
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A jester with a cap and bells source ↗

The cap and bells is a type of fool's cap with bells worn by a court fool or jester.1 The bells were also added to the dangling sleeves and announced the appearance of the jester.23

Forms

The cap and bells could be in the following forms:2

Other forms of fool's cap in England were shaped like a monk's cowl with ass's ears, a high-pointed cap covered with bells, or a round cap with an imposing feather.4

References

References

  1. Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged
  2. Lucy Barton, Historic Costumes for the Stage, p. 221
  3. ISBN 1412834988, p. 113
  4. Singleton, Esther (1891). "The Court Jesters of England". Cosmopolitan. Vol. 11. p. 445.