Amicitia Jocosa: Peter of Celle and John of Salisbury

Jests and laughter often characterize the best friendships. They signal a comfortable affection and mutual trust, usually developed between two individuals over a period of time. In fact, occasions of laughter, whether rooted in prosperity or adversity, sometimes become the fondest recollection of close friends, and the evocation of such memories is one of friendship’s highest delights. The correspondence of Peter of Celle and John of Salisbury rewards its reader with a glimpse of such a joyous relationship. In deeply troubled times these two men evidenced, through humour and good cheer, the warmth of that true friendship which, for Cicero, was heaven's finest, blessing.