Unique 'bawdy bard' act discovered, revealing 15th-century roots of British comedy
Tuesday, May 30, 2023 - 18:06
in Paleontology & Archaeology
An unprecedented record of medieval live comedy performance has been identified in a 15th-century manuscript. Raucous texts—mocking kings, priests and peasants; encouraging audiences to get drunk; and shocking them with slapstick—shed new light on Britain's famous sense of humor and the role played by minstrels in medieval society.