I would describe my role at English Heritage as a purveyor of mirth, delivering fun experiences for visitors. I first got into fooling at university. I trained as a physical theatre performer and so clowning and silliness went hand in hand. I started commentating at various special events for English Heritage and the events team thought that I had a flair for silliness, so I started to train specifically as a fool under the expert tutelage of master fool Peet Cooper, who performs as Peterkin.

The difference between fools and jesters is that jesters are somewhat professional, they have set skills and journey from town to town. A fool is a calling – rather like a priest. People first started performing as fools way back when powerful leaders preferred to be surrounded by plain-speaking mirth-makers. We know Chinese Emperor Qin kept a fool as there’s a model of one in his terracotta army. By the 17th century, however, fools started setting up their own troupes, performing wherever there was money to be made.

The highlights of my shows (if there are such things) would be the mania on stilts, the danger of a catapult and foolishness with fire. To find out what that actually means, you’ll need to come and see me perform. Don’t worry if you can’t make one of my shows, as there is a tiny army of us fools performing at English Heritage sites across the length and breadth of the country.

The best thing about performing to English Heritage crowds is togetherness, acceptance and playfulness. Any visitors coming to our events for the first time should expect not merely to watch a silly show but perhaps also be ready to be involved. After all, stultorum plena sunt omnia (fools are everywhere).