It turns out we've been suffering from stand-up comedy for centuries.

September 29, 2023 12:30 AM

"By me, Richard Heege, because I was at that feast and did not have a drink."

An unprecedented record of medieval live comedy performance has been identified in a 15th-century manuscript. These boisterous texts – which include jests at the expense of kings, priests, and peasants; advocate for audience inebriation; and surprise them with physical comedy – provide fresh insights into the renowned British sense of humor and the significant role minstrels held in medieval society.

The documents comprise the earliest known usage of the phrase ‘red herring’ in English, extremely rare forms of medieval literature, as well as a killer rabbit worthy of Monty Python. This breakthrough alters our perception of English comedic culture during the period bridging Chaucer and Shakespeare.

posted by brundlefly (19 comments total)

Can't wait to read this after work! Thanks for posting
posted by mumimor at 1:02 AM on September 29, 2023 [1 favorite]

I loved Heege’s first Netflyxe special!
posted by Thorzdad at 4:31 AM on September 29, 2023 [9 favorites]

Faire maidens doth rideth their steeds in this fashion… and noblemen doth rideth their steeds in THIS fashion!
posted by dr_dank at 5:39 AM on September 29, 2023 [19 favorites]

Yea, verily, what is ye deale with stockinges, for t'is always one that is lost in the washtubbe!
posted by briank at 5:56 AM on September 29, 2023 [11 favorites]

Stand-up comedy has always involved taking risks and these texts are risky! They poke fun at everyone, high and low.

VVe regrette to inform thee the ducke is racist.
posted by mittens at 5:57 AM on September 29, 2023 [25 favorites]

Seriously have you guys not seen the woodcut of this guy doing moorface? Why is there even a post about him? Flagged.
posted by uncleozzy at 7:29 AM on September 29, 2023 [14 favorites]

I give thankes to all gentles - I art here all se'enday! Tryen ye wild boar! Mindeth to tip thine serving wench.
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:12 AM on September 29, 2023 [8 favorites]

The esteemed caterers of the heavens engage in a most perplexing alchemy, for the victuals they proffer bear little resemblance to our noble banquets on dry earth. 'Tis as if they have enlisted the services of Merlin himself to conjure forth such curious concoctions.
posted by credulous at 9:16 AM on September 29, 2023 [3 favorites]

And prithee, WHAT art ye DEAL with yon plague??
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:01 AM on September 29, 2023 [4 favorites]

Twenty florins, same as in the duchy.
posted by cmfletcher at 11:26 AM on September 29, 2023 [15 favorites]

“And doun his hand he launcheth to the clifte, / In hope for to fynde there a yifte. / And whan this sike man felte this frere / Aboute his tuwel grope there and heere, / Amydde his hand he leet the frere a fart” (III, 2145-2149).
posted by elkevelvet at 1:37 PM on September 29, 2023 [1 favorite]

"The Aristocrats!" (the joke being that's how they really behaved)
posted by credulous at 1:54 PM on September 29, 2023 [4 favorites]

@dr_dank BiyondetheFiltre: Faire maidens doth rideth their steeds in this fashion… and noblemen doth rideth their steeds in THIS fashion!
posted by lukemeister at 3:50 PM on September 29, 2023 [1 favorite]

Hast thou gone on pilgrimage of late? Wherefore is it so greatlye vexing? Hast thou seen those bagges of legumes distributed therein? They art of so paltry a size, 'tis as if they were crafted in the court of the Fairye Queen herself! Forsooth, I have been fastynge since I left the inn at first light. What use have I for six legumes? And retryving those same from the tiny pouch is a feat worthye of Hercules! I swear, 'tis impossible to open. I was riding next to a knight, and to him I turned and spoke thusly: good sir knight, mayhaps I may use thy greatsword? To kill a saracen? No sir, I am merely in need of a snacke!
posted by PlusDistance at 3:53 PM on September 29, 2023 [9 favorites]

Mine wyfe giveth me not proper reespect, verily!
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:19 PM on September 29, 2023 [3 favorites]

Forsooth, hast thou noticed ever: thine husband leaven yon latrine bottom-restyn upright, thus permitting a lady's delicate hind-quarter fallen amongst midden soil?
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:29 PM on September 29, 2023 [1 favorite]

(I hope any Middle English scholars are giving this thread a pass, I'm worried our clunky ignorant attempts at "Ye Olde English" would cause them to burst a blood vessel in rage)

(Not saying it isn't a hell of a lot of fun anyway)
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:35 PM on September 29, 2023 [4 favorites]

You should hear Georg of Cloghan's routine "Ye ſeven wordes to be ſpoken notte by ye towne cryer" -- he was nearly excommunicated for that one.
posted by rifflesby at 11:02 PM on September 29, 2023 [4 favorites]

If thy dowry be a turnip, perchance thou art a serf!
posted by skookumsaurus rex at 11:22 AM on September 30, 2023 [6 favorites]