Perkeo of Heidelberg
Encyclopedia
Perkeo of Heidelberg was a notable court jester in 18th Century Heidelberg
, Germany. He has since become an unofficial mascot of the city and region, as his name, story and image have been connected with a variety of festivals, traditional songs, cultural and scientific institutions, hotels, restaurants and private companies (in and out of the region) ever since.
Pankert was (apparently) born with dwarfism
, in Salurn in the County of Tyrol
, where he worked for the regional Prince Charles III Philip, Elector Palatine. In about 1720, Prince Philip took an interest in Pankert, and brought him along to the Heidelberg Castle
(in what is today Germany) as an official entertainer for the court.
In Heidelberg, he allegedly adopted the nickname “Perkeo” after he famously replied "perché no?" (meaning “why not?” in Italian) many times after being asked if he wanted another glass of wine at various court events.
Perkeo quickly became celebrated for massive wine consumption despite his small figure (contemporary accounts document that he regularly drank between five and eight US gallons of wine a day). Since he knew much about wine, he was also given the responsibility of looking after the castle’s wine stocks. (Many found amusement in the striking contrast that tiny, funny Perkeo was in charge of the largest wine barrel in the world, the massive Heidelberg Tun
, while famously having a severe drinking problem.)
Aside from his official court duties, he is often celebrated for a variety of humorous legends connected to his life and comical court pranks. These stories range from a tale of a mysterious clock that he used in wine production, a large key he had gotten on a misadventure into town to have an official uniform created, and most famously his demise.
According to popular legend, Perkeo lived happily into his eighties having never drank anything in his life, save for wine. Yet one day he took ill and the town doctor had him drink water. He died the next day.
Victor Hugo: "Heidelberg" of Frankfurt am Main: Societäts-Verlag, 2003.
Heidelberg
-Early history:Between 600,000 and 200,000 years ago, "Heidelberg Man" died at nearby Mauer. His jaw bone was discovered in 1907; with scientific dating, his remains were determined to be the earliest evidence of human life in Europe. In the 5th century BC, a Celtic fortress of refuge and place of...
, Germany. He has since become an unofficial mascot of the city and region, as his name, story and image have been connected with a variety of festivals, traditional songs, cultural and scientific institutions, hotels, restaurants and private companies (in and out of the region) ever since.
Pankert was (apparently) born with dwarfism
Dwarfism
Dwarfism is short stature resulting from a medical condition. It is sometimes defined as an adult height of less than 4 feet 10 inches , although this definition is problematic because short stature in itself is not a disorder....
, in Salurn in the County of Tyrol
County of Tyrol
The County of Tyrol, Princely County from 1504, was a State of the Holy Roman Empire, from 1814 a province of the Austrian Empire and from 1867 a Cisleithanian crown land of Austria-Hungary...
, where he worked for the regional Prince Charles III Philip, Elector Palatine. In about 1720, Prince Philip took an interest in Pankert, and brought him along to the Heidelberg Castle
Heidelberg Castle
The Heidelberg Castle is a famous ruin in Germany and landmark of Heidelberg. The castle ruins are among the most important Renaissance structures north of the Alps....
(in what is today Germany) as an official entertainer for the court.
In Heidelberg, he allegedly adopted the nickname “Perkeo” after he famously replied "perché no?" (meaning “why not?” in Italian) many times after being asked if he wanted another glass of wine at various court events.
Perkeo quickly became celebrated for massive wine consumption despite his small figure (contemporary accounts document that he regularly drank between five and eight US gallons of wine a day). Since he knew much about wine, he was also given the responsibility of looking after the castle’s wine stocks. (Many found amusement in the striking contrast that tiny, funny Perkeo was in charge of the largest wine barrel in the world, the massive Heidelberg Tun
Heidelberg Tun
The Heidelberg Tun is an extremely large wine vat contained within the cellars of Heidelberg Castle. There have been four such barrels in the history of Heidelberg; the present one has a capacity of approximately 220,000 litres and was made in 1751. One hundred and thirty oak trees were reputedly...
, while famously having a severe drinking problem.)
Aside from his official court duties, he is often celebrated for a variety of humorous legends connected to his life and comical court pranks. These stories range from a tale of a mysterious clock that he used in wine production, a large key he had gotten on a misadventure into town to have an official uniform created, and most famously his demise.
According to popular legend, Perkeo lived happily into his eighties having never drank anything in his life, save for wine. Yet one day he took ill and the town doctor had him drink water. He died the next day.
Further reading
Harry B. Davis: "What Happened in Heidelberg: From Heidelberg Man to the Present": Verlag Brausdruck GmbH, 1977.Victor Hugo: "Heidelberg" of Frankfurt am Main: Societäts-Verlag, 2003.