My Fanciful Accounts

Jepp, who defied the Stars by Katherine Marsh

Historical fiction with a little bit of fantasy based on some real life characters made this a great read. Jepp, a court dwarf with two astrological charts, spends the pages of this book trying to decide if life is predetermined by the stars or if he can decide his own destiny. Would actually rate it 4.5 stars. The page layouts printed in navy added atmosphere to the tale as well.

The characters and their real-life counterparts

Court dwarfs
Jepp was the court jester of Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe. Brahe believed Jepp possessed psychic powers. Dwarfs were believed to have magical powers and as such, were usually revered. Even if the court dwarfs were ridiculed, they were almost always fed and clothed well. Poor Jepp, however, spent most dinners under the table. One interesting fact I stumbled upon stated that due to the high demand and limited supply of dwarfs, many children were deliberately crippled by their parents in a misguided attempt to assure them a future life of ease and plenty.
Court dwarfs were often responsible for the care of the animals, therefore, it is most likely that the real Jepp also cared for Brahe's beer drinking elk. The poor elk got drunk one night and fell down the stairs and died.

Maria and Sebastian, two other characters in the story, were inspired by two paintings by Diego Velazquez, a 17th century painter. Sebastián de Morra like Jepp was a dwarf and jester at the court of Philip IV of Spain.

Portrait of Sebastián de Morra by Diego Velázquez

Las Meninas by Diego Velázquez

The German dwarf , Maribarbola, is standing behind the dog in the far right corner. She was the inspiration for the character Maria.


astronomy
Danish astronomer, Tycho Brahe, (1546-1601), made very accurate observations of the night sky, all without the aid of a telescope which had not yet been invented. He also built the world's first observatory and kept a star catalog with over 1000 stars. Brahe made his observations from Uraniborg, on an island in the sound between Denmark and Sweden called Hveen.


astrology
Part of Tycho Brahe's duties was drawing up horoscopes for his patron, King Frederick.


romance
Magdalene, Brahe's daughter, was born in 1574. At Uraniborg she was betrothed to Gellius Sascerides, a medical student she had known since she was a child not to Jepp the court jester as in the story. Gellius broke off the engagement and it is probable that she remained unwed. Magdalene is believed to have died in 1620.