The Resume

(circa 1500- )
Born in Shropshire, England, United Kingdom
Last name also spelled Sommers and Summers
Court jester for King Henry VIII, King Edward VI, and Queen Mary I
Made his last public appearance at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth I

Why he might be annoying:

Little is known of his early life.
There is debate about whether he was hunchbacked.
After praising Catherine of Aragon and Princess Mary, he called Anne Boleyn a 'ribald' and Princess Elizabeth a bastard, so enraging Henry that the King threatened to kill Somers with his own hands.
During Queen Mary's reign, he was largely relegated to the role of sidekick to Mary's preferred jester, Jane Foole.

Why he might not be annoying:

Thomas Cromwell appreciated that Somers would sometimes use jokes to draw King Henry's attention to waste and extravagance in the royal household.
He was said to be the only person who could lift Henry's spirits late in life when the King suffered from painful leg ulcers.
He was reportedly one of only two men (the other being playwright John Heywood) to make Queen Mary laugh.

Credit: C. Fishel

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• C. Fishel's Profiles [Series 83]
• Look at Me and My Pet
• Look at Me, My Picture Is Art
• Profiles 51751-51986 (Ranked: 51937)
• Renaissance Men (and Women)

Year In Review:

In 2023, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying