SOURCE: “Killigrew's Cap and Bells,” in Theatre Notebook, Vol. XXXVIII, No. 3, 1984, pp. 99-105.

In the following essay, Walsh assesses the validity of the persistent assertions that Killigrew was literally Charles II's court jester.

The wit and playwright Thomas Killigrew enjoyed many honours under Charles II. He was a Gentleman of the Bedchamber, a Chamberlain to the Queen, and Master of the Revels. As patentee of the Theatre Royal, he was one of the founders of the Restoration stage. His long friendship with the King both during the Exile and after the Restoration does not, however, account for the rumour that Killigrew held yet another office close to the person of the King, that of his Fool or Jester.

Pepys mentions Killigrew several times in the Diary. He describes him as a “merry droll”, and in the entry for 13 February 1667/8 offers a biographical detail which has long puzzled students...