The Master of Antics is an honorific office or title denoting the supreme Fool, Jester, jokester or Trickster in any group, tribe or polity.

While the origins of the term are disputed by scholars, there is evidence that indicates an origin amongst the Proto Indo-Europeans.  Scattered historical references to a Master, Magister or Lord of Antics or Foolery occur in Hittite myth in Anatolia, Minoan-era artifacts in the Aegean rim (particularly those inscribed with Linear Script B), and in the cultural references of pre-Latin peoples of the Italian peninsula as recorded by early Latin scholars.

The Master of Antics’ role varied throughout the places where the title has appeared in the historical record – but the individual holding such a title was generally considered to possess certain supernatural powers of tomfoolery, mockery and satire that could bestow powerful blessings of humor upon the recipients, or be used as ruthless political weapons to destroy and belittle adversaries.  As a result, societies wherein such a role was found often conferred great respect, and a certain amount of deference, to the individuals within such roles – it not being uncommon for such societies to participate in annual festivals dedicated to celebrating and honoring the Master of Antics in order to ensure their good humor and beneficence in the year to come.

Historically, it it is a role that has transcended the boundaries and loyalties of accepted power structures.  Due to their perceived supernatural powers, the Master of Antics often had a fluidity of movement and access within and between social groups that was unheard of in the historical period in which they lived, vis-a-vis their social caste.  As such, a Master of Antics could indulge in biting criticism of the power elites or rulership of their home society and then migrate to neighboring communities or political entities to avoid the repercussions.

Voltaire is often noted as being the High Master of Antics of the Antic Masters of Europe during his lifetime, and is credited with the dissolution of the ancien regime’s legitimacy in France as well as in most of continental Europe.  Similarly Hans Hermann Fegelein was posthumously awarded the title of High Master of Antics for his work to undermine Hitler’s regime as the Master of Antics of Nazi Germany from 1943 until his death during the fall of Nazi Europe.  Fegelein is also one of only three Masters of Antics that has ever been considered for a Nobel Peace Prize for his relentless guerrilla joke warfare against both the SS and the Nazi leadership – even in the face of death threats, assassination attempts and a relentless witch hunt against him and his accomplices led by Hitler himself.  Rumors that Fegelein faked his death and assumed the identity of fellow Antic-maker Otto Gunsche in order to flee Ally-occupied Germany persisted well into the 1970’s, but are considered unsubstantiated.