The monograph is dedicated to the festive culture of the Middle Ages. The main sources were works of fine art - Romanesque and Gothic sculpture, artistic crafts, and manuscript miniatures. Their study makes it possible to penetrate into the living, full-blooded reality of that era. For historians, art historians, archaeologists and a wider range of readers interested in the Middle Ages. CONTENTS: Introduction 7Part one. JOUGLERSChapter 1. Repertoire of jugglers 29Chapter 2. Music in the festive life of the Middle Ages 35Chapter 3. Dancing and acrobatics in the art of the Middle Ages 59Chapter 4. Equilibrists 93Chapter 5. Masters of juggling 101Chapter 6. Trainers 107Chapter 7. Magicians 153Chapter 8. Puppeteers 1 63Chapter 9. Life of jugglers 171Part second. PEOPLE IN THE SQUAREChapter 1. Dances 205Chapter 2. Mummers 217Chapter 3. Calendar festivities 247Chapter 4. Competitions and games 255Part three. CARNIVALChapter 1. Jesters 283Chapter 2. Holidays of Fools 299Chapter 3. Carnival processions 311Part four. IN THE WORLD OF ANTINOMYChapter 1. Servants of Satan 341Chapter 2. Apology of buffoonery 377Chapter 3. Music and dance: the opposition of good and evil 387Conclusion 399List of illustrations 403ILLUSTRATIONS 433