A Satire of the Three EstatesA Satire of the Three Estates (Middle Scots: Ane Pleasant Satyre of the Thrie Estaitis), is a satirical morality play in Middle Scots, written by makar Sir David Lyndsay. The complete play was first performed outside in the playing field at Cupar, Fife in June 1552 during the Midsummer holiday, where the action took place under Castle Hill. It was subsequently performed in Edinburgh, also outdoors, in 1554. The full text was first printed in 1602 and extracts were copied into the Bannatyne Manuscript. The Satire is an attack on the Three Estates represented in the Parliament of Scotland -- the clergy, lords and burgh representatives, symbolised by the characters Spiritualitie, Temporalitie and Merchant. The clergy come in for the strongest criticism. The work portrays the social tensions present at this pivotal moment in Scottish history. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
Adieu amang backwart baith Behauld beir BISHOP Border reiver brocht brother carl CHASTITY consistory COUNSEL court courtiers Covetice croun DECEIT deid Deil Devotioun DILIGENCE Discretioun doun dreid Edinburgh Festival fair Lady FALSET FLATTERY fools For-why fra-hand freir Fund-Jonet gang gart George Wishart give God's grace groat haily HAMELINESS hangit hauld heart heid Howbeit hureson incontinent John the Common-Weal Kemp's version King Correctioun King Humanity King's knaw Lady Sensuality limmer Lindsay Lindsay's loon lord Temporality lords ludging lusty lusty Lady mair maister MERCHANT mony nocht PARDONER PLACEBO play POOR pray Prioress reformatioun regioun resave richt Sapience Satire Scots SERGEANT shaw Sit doun SOLACE sould SOUTAR'S WIFE Sprituality sweir Swith syne TAILOR'S WIFE teind Temporality thee thir Thocht thou sall Three Estates THREE VICES toun traist Tranent trow VERITY WANTONNESS warld weill Whilk ye nocht ye sall ye wald