The Knight of the Burning Pestle

Knight of the Burning Pestle, The

    Author: Francis Beaumont

    First Performance: c.1607, London

    Published: 1613

    Genre: Com. in 5 acts with an induction; blank and rhymed verse and prose

    Setting: London, Waltham, Moldavia, and their environs, at an indeterminate (medieval?) period

    Cast: 23m, 5f, extras

The audience are gathered to see The London Merchant, but the start of the play is delayed while the Grocer insists that his apprentice, Rafe, should appear in a heroic role. The play begins with Venturewell, the London merchant, insisting that his daughter Luce should marry Master Humphrey rather than the man she loves, his apprentice Jasper. Meanwhile Rafe declares that he will carry out noble deeds as the Knight of the Burning Pestle. Unfortunately, his first attempt results in terrifying Jasper's...

[The entire page is 371 words long]

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