Set against the backdrop of a fifteenth-century English market village, the play unfolds within the quaint confines of Cool Clary. This locale serves as more than just a setting; it is a microcosm of the structured and ritualistic society of the time. Governed by a council, Cool Clary is a place where every resident, from Mayor Tyson to Justice Tappercoom, and from the chaplain to Richard the clerk, has a clearly defined role. This communal structure fosters a sense of unity, where townsfolk are intimately aware of one another's affairs—a double-edged sword that both binds the community and exposes it to disruption.

Amidst the everyday routines, the town exudes a strong pastoral charm. Fry’s language paints a vivid picture of life in Cool Clary, with its fields, gardens, and abundant nature featuring prominently in the dialogue. The imagery of blackbirds singing under the warm sun, rosebuds in bloom, and the presence of wheelbarrows and ponds add layers of richness to the town’s bucolic character. Yet, beneath this pastoral veneer lies a deep-seated orthodoxy, steeped in medieval Christian ideals that dictate the rhythms of life in Cool Clary.

This rigid adherence to tradition breeds a sense of insecurity, as the townspeople grapple with the fear of sin and the unknown. Christian superstition runs rampant, manifesting in an almost comical hysteria when the norms of their world are challenged. The arrival of Thomas Mendip, an ex-soldier, and Jennet Jourdemayne, rumored to be a witch, sends ripples through the community, threatening to upset their carefully maintained order. Their presence in Cool Clary serves as a catalyst, revealing the underlying anxieties of a society caught between its pastoral ideals and its susceptibility to fear and superstition.