Description

Book Synopsis

Drama Classics: The World's Great Plays at a Great Little Price

Francis Beaumont's The Knight of the Burning Pestle is a five-act satire on chivalric romances, generally considered the earliest whole parody (or pastiche) play in English.

The play's structure is that of a play within a play. The intended performance of The London Merchant - the tale of an apprentice's efforts to win the hand of his master's daughter - is interrupted by a request from the audience to stage the story of a heroic grocer who kills a lion with a pestle. Rafe is dragged from the audience to play this hero. Both stories get muddled up and the conventions of theatre get thoroughly mauled.

The play was first performed at Blackfriars Theatre, London, in 1607.

This edition in the Nick Hern Books Drama Classics series is edited and introduced by Colin Counsell.

The Knight of the Burning Pestle

    Product form

    £6.71

    Includes FREE delivery

    Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Fri 7 Aug 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by Francis Beaumont

    5 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of The Knight of the Burning Pestle by Francis Beaumont

      Publisher: Nick Hern Books
      Publication Date: Publication Date: 26/10/2001
      ISBN13: 9781854596246, 978-1854596246
      ISBN10: 1854596241

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      Drama Classics: The World's Great Plays at a Great Little Price

      Francis Beaumont's The Knight of the Burning Pestle is a five-act satire on chivalric romances, generally considered the earliest whole parody (or pastiche) play in English.

      The play's structure is that of a play within a play. The intended performance of The London Merchant - the tale of an apprentice's efforts to win the hand of his master's daughter - is interrupted by a request from the audience to stage the story of a heroic grocer who kills a lion with a pestle. Rafe is dragged from the audience to play this hero. Both stories get muddled up and the conventions of theatre get thoroughly mauled.

      The play was first performed at Blackfriars Theatre, London, in 1607.

      This edition in the Nick Hern Books Drama Classics series is edited and introduced by Colin Counsell.

      Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Book Curl

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Diners Club
        • Discover
        • Google Pay
        • Maestro
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Union Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account