The Cambridge MS. (which may be identical to the one that belonged to Dr Farmer) is unfortunately imperfect. It has no title, four or five leaves are torn away at the beginning, so that we have nothing before the concluding sentence of Act I. Sc. 3, and one leaf is torn out in Act iv. containing all Sc. 3 and parts of Sc. 2 and Sc. 4 of that act. The MS. is clearly written, in a hand that may be contemporary with the play, but contains careless repetitions, omissions and distortions of words, so that in various places its interpretation presents great difficulty.

CLUB LAW

1599–1600

Synopsis available, click here

a synoptic, alphabetical character list

ADAM
A townsman. He is on hand to help the townsmen beat the "Athenians."

ANDERTON
One of the twenty-four Electors for the Burgomastership.

ASSELEY
A "ghost character." Though mentioned in the dramatis personae and in the text, he does not actually appear on stage. One of the twenty-four Electors for the Burgomastership. He is Cowby's landlord. He is busy seeing to a willow that needs lopping, is therefore not at the roll call of electors and is fined.

ATHENIANS
The usual name throughout the play for the students (of Cambridge).

BEGGAR–WENCH
She is asleep in the tub that Niphle sneaks into to escape the search. Niphles tries to maintain that he was arresting the beggar-wench, but she tells the search that he offered her two pence to lie still. She is arrested along with Niphle and both are paraded to jail in their tub.

BESSE COLBY
Colby's wife. She would do anything for Musonius but is annoyed with him that he doesn't seem to understand her hints to bed her. She tells him of her husband's plan to have the town's boys beat the students with their own clubs at the Cudgill play. She conspires with Musonius to let the students steal the townsmen's arsenal of staves and poles from Colby's storehouse.

BRECKNOCKE
The outgoing Burgomaster of Athens. Cricket hits him with an apple. He offers Niphle advice on running Athens but is generally ignored. In the fight, he is bested by Musonius. When Niphle comes to him and asks him to go along to the duke to complain for remedy, Brecknocke refuses. He prefers mending fences with the students and regaining his estate. He is offended when Niphle calls him an ass. He agrees to Niphle's compromise plan to appear to make peace with the students and look for an opportunity for revenge.

BRIDGET BOULTON
A "ghost character." Probably a prostitute. She a mutual acquaintance of Luce's and Sponer.

BROMLY
Searcher in the service of the Rector. He attends Musonius when he comes with a writ to catch Niphle in his lechery with Luce at Tavie's house. After the searchers find Niphle hiding in a tub with a beggar-wench and parade them to jail in the tub, he helps Purcus to arrest Luce.

BURGESSES, TWO
They come with Brecknocke to ask Niphle to make peace after the fight. They want him not to complain to the duke and fear the ruination of their estates. The assert that only the rich will survive if Niphle does not stop persecuting the "Athenians." They agree to Niphle's compromise plan to appear to make peace with the students and look for an opportunity for revenge.

BUTCHER
A "ghost character." In the fight, he struck Musonius on the shoulder with his cleaver but Musonius paid him back for it.

BUTLER
A "ghost character." Cricket tells Tavie that he will speak to the Butler to make Tavie under skinker in the Buttery,

CARFIELD, CAPTAIN
A "ghost character." Luce says that her husband is on a voyage with "Captaine Carifeild."

CIPHER
'Headsman' or member of the Corporation along with Colby and Rumford. As his name implies, he takes any side that seems stronger and agrees with whoever speaks last. "Hee will saye nothing all the daye but, yea: indeed: it is even so: by all meanes: or by no meanes: true: right: good: well." He is sycophantic in the presence of Niphle, the new Burgomaster. After the fight, he sides with the townsmen and Brecknocke that they should make peace with the students and agrees to Niphle's compromise plan to appear to make peace with the students and look for an opportunity for revenge.

COLBY
A collier. 'Headsman ' or member of the Corporation along with Colby and Rumford and Cipher. He gets permission from Niphle to carry away the students' corn under the guise of his coal wagon. Philenius and Musonius arrest him on the warrant from Rector. The Rector soon releases him with a hefty fine, and Philenius believes it is to allow Colby to get himself into real trouble. In the fight, Musonius bests him. He and Rumford plan to complain to the duke with Niphle, but Brecknocke changes Colby's mind. He agrees to Niphle's compromise plan to appear to make peace with the students and look for an opportunity for revenge.

COLLIERS or PORTERS, THREE
A group of colliers help Colby steal the students' corn. The first is named John, the second Dick, and the third remains unnamed. They gloat as they put coal in the top of their sacks already full of corn. Philenius and Musonius arrest them on the warrant from Rector.

COMPANY, PHILENIUS'S and MUSONIUS'S
Mute characters from the university. An undisclosed number of Philenius's company help to arrest Niphles and carry him and the beggar-wench away to jail in the tub. They later return to assist Musonius in stealing the arsenal of staves and poles from Cobly's storehouse. They show up in force with those weapons at the start of the fight and surprise the townsmen, who have just discovered that their own weapons are missing.

COOPERBURNE, GOODMAN
One of the twenty-four Electors for the Burgomastership. He was thrice called to the electors but was tardy because his wife is sick. His fine is forgiven.

COWBY, GOODMAN
One of the twenty-four Electors for the Burgomastership. He is Mr. Asseley's tenant.

DICK
One of the three colliers (also called Porters) who help Colby steal the students' corn. He was once tripped by a student who then bit his buttocks. He told everyone he tripped on a stone. Philenius and Musonius arrest him on the warrant from Rector.

DUKE
A "ghost character." Rumford says he'll go tell the duke about his troubles. Niphle decides the town must complain to the duke.

ESDRAS
A "ghost character." Though mentioned in the dramatis personae and in the text, he does not actually appear on stage. One of the twenty-four Electors for the Burgomastership. He is not at the roll call of electors and is fined.

FFESCU
A "ghost character." Though mentioned in the dramatis personae and in the text, he does not actually appear on stage. One of the twenty-four Electors for the Burgomastership. He is not at the roll call of electors and is fined.

FFOOTS
A townsman. He is on hand to help the townsmen beat the "Athenians" though he doesn't know which end of a cudgel to hold.

GALLANT, GOODMAN
A "ghost character." Though mentioned in the dramatis personae and in the text, he does not actually appear on stage. One of the twenty-four Electors for the Burgomastership. He is not at the roll call of electors and is fined.

GIRLS, PRETTY, SMUG
"Ghost characters." Brecknocke suggests using the town's pretty, smug girls to lure the students into getting bastards and so get themselves thrown out of the academy.

GRAND COMBATANT, MOUNSIER
A Frenchman played with a broad stage-French accent. He tells Puff that he will go to the Burgomaster's feast. Once there he becomes the butt of jokes. Henceforth, he decides to go to the "Academics" where the food is better anyway. He is amongst the group to assist Musonius in stealing the arsenal of staves and poles from Cobly's storehouse where he boasts of breaking the townsmen's pates. He takes offense at Cricket's suggestion that he will be the first to run away. In the fight, Rumford bests him. When the fight is over, he crawls out from under a stall to swagger and taunt Puff, one of the beaten townsmen. He boasts to Musonius that he has killed five.

HALFECAKE
One of the twenty-four Electors for the Burgomastership.

HENRY SPRUCE
Town Clerk. He is verbose and tiresome to the others when he speaks. After the fight, he attends and protects Niphle as he leaves prison. He proves a milquetoast when he will not draw up Niphle's compromise plan to appear to make peace with the students and look for an opportunity for revenge.

HERODOTUS
Only mentioned. In the epilogue, Cricket alludes to the writer as one who mentioned Club Law with approval.

HORNESBIE, GOODMAN
One of the twenty-four Electors for the Burgomastership.

HUSBAND, LUCE'S
Probably a fantasy character. Luce begs not to be arrested, saying she is with child. When the searchers claim that proves she is a whore, she protests she has a husband. She says that he went on the voyage with "Captaine Carifeild."

JACK DRUM
Only mentioned. While waiting to catch Colby with the corn, Cricket says he will get up to something rather than to stand about like Jack Drum.

JACK
Possibly a "ghost character." Brecknocke's boy, who is no bigger than the "little ape" that struck Brecknocke on the head with a club and called it club law then held him at bay with a knife (perhaps a reference to Cricket). The name is used throughout the play by several characters who mean nothing more by it than "young man" or "saucy fellow." It may not be a proper name even in Brecknocke's context. His Jack could possibly be a reference to his boy, Peter.

JOCKY RUMFORD
Rumford's son. He is on hand to help the townsmen beat the "Athenians."

JOHN
One of the three colliers (also called Porters) who help Colby steal the students' corn. Philenius and Musonius arrest him on the warrant from Rector.

JONAS
A "ghost character." Though mentioned in the dramatis personae and in the text, he does not actually appear on stage. One of the twenty-four Electors for the Burgomastership. The name suggests a reference to Richard Jones, who was one of the Cambridge town officials when the play was presented. Jonas was drunk at Tavie's house in the morning but is not at the roll call of electors and is fined.

KETLEBASEN, GOODMAN
One of the twenty-four Electors for the Burgomastership. He is Thirten's godson.

LITTLEWORTH
A "ghost character." Though mentioned in the dramatis personae and in the text, he does not actually appear on stage. One of the twenty-four Electors for the Burgomastership. He is not at the roll call of electors and is fined.

LOBSON
One of the twenty-four Electors for the Burgomastership.

LUCE
A courtesan. She is Tavie's bribe to have Niphle give him promotion to chief sergeant. When Purcus, Bromly, Trott, and Sponer come to arrest her, she gives them saucy answers and kisses Sponer when she learns he knows Bridget Boulton, who is a friend of hers. She argues bitterly but is at last taken to jail. Tavie reveals later that she was carted out of town.

MALLICE
A "ghost character." Though mentioned in the dramatis personae and in the text, he does not actually appear on stage. One of the twenty-four Electors for the Burgomastership. He is not at the roll call of electors and is fined.

MOONE the ELDER
One of the twenty-four Electors for the Burgomastership.

MORGAN
Two Morgans figure in the play and both appear to be fantasy characters.

Cricket tricks Tavie away from the Bergomaster's feast by telling him that a Mr. Morgan is asking for him in town.
When Bromley says Luce doesn't speak like Tavie, so how can she be his sister, Tavie answers that their Uncle Morgan taught her to speak prettily.

MRS. NIPHLE
She would do anything for Philenius. She tells him of her husband's plan to have the town's boys beat the students with their own clubs.

MUSONIUS
An academic along with Philenius. Philenius calls him the wiser of the two. Cricket calls them both "gravities." Philenius and Musonius, suspecting the townsmen mean no good to the university, propose to enact the ancient club law against them during their election. They spy upon them by gossiping with the townsmen's wives and learning all their secrets that way. He goes to Mrs. Colby and wins her over. Upon learning that the townsmen plan to beat the students with their own club law, Philenius and Musonius plan to turn the tables upon them. Cricket tells him of the assignation planned between Niphle and Luce at Tavie's house, and Musonius goes to Rector for a warrant to arrest them. He returns and dismisses Cricket, as he is a 'boy.' He and Philenius enter Tavie's house to catch Niphle and Luce together. The searchers find Niphle hiding in a tub with a beggar-wench and parade them to jail in the tub. Philenius and Musonius leave the searchers to arrest Luce and then return to arrest Tavie, too. Tavie begs to be left to watch the house, and they promise to be back tomorrow with his punishments. Musonius conspires with Mrs. Colby to steal the townsmen's arsenal of staves and poles from Colby's storehouse while the townsmen are our drinking to their success. In the fight, he bests Brecknocke and Colby and beats a butcher who struck him on the shoulder with his cleaver. The Rector sends Philenius and Musonius to hear the townsmen treat for peace. He lectures them on the superiority of students and requires them to take an oath of subservience.

NICHOLAS CRICKET
A young student. Much is made of his diminutive size. He hits Brecknocke in the head with an apple. Cricket lures Tavie from the Burgomaster's feast by telling him a countryman named Morgan waits for him. Tavie goes to Cricket's room where he is locked in and whipped until he misses his dinner. Whilst eavesdropping under a window, he learns of the plan for Colby to steal the students' corn away in his coal wagon. While waiting to catch Colby, and for a prank, he ties a rope across the Burgomaster's threshold, cries "murder," and trips Niphle, Tavie, Puff, and Catch as they rush out. He then beats them with his club. He overhears Niphle setting up the assignation for Luce and telling Tavie that the password will be "I burn." After they arrest Colby and the colliers stealing corn, he tells Musonius of the assignation planned between Niphle and Luce at Tavie's house. Whilst waiting for Musonius to return from Rector with a warrant of arrest, Cricket knocks on Tavie's door thrice and gives the password. When Tavie answers, he knocks Tavie down. He is offended when Musonius returns and sends him away, as he is but a 'boy.' He returns, however, in time to see Niphle sneak into a tub where a vagabond wench is already sleeping. With this knowledge, he has the searchers name him their captain and then betrays Niphles hiding place. The searchers find Niphle hiding in a tub with a beggar-wench and parade them to jail in the tub. He returns to assist Musonius in stealing the arsenal of staves and poles from Cobly's storehouse where he taunts Monsieur Grand Combatant that the Frenchman will be the first to run away when the fight begins. In the fight, Cricket acquits himself well and earns Musonius's praise. He glories in seeing the townsmen take an oath of subservience to the students. When Tavie approaches him for employment, he says that he will talk to the Butler about makin Tavie an under skinker in the Buttery–and assures the audience that he intends to do nothing but mock at him and make him an arrant fool. He delivers the epilogue, saying that all was in good fun and craving applause.

NICHOLAS NIPHLE
A baker and Brecknocke's successor as Burgomaster. "He'll do anything as he is Nicolas Nifle; and all his fellow bretheren are Asses; wee ragtailes." He agrees to make Tavie chief sergeant in return for Tavie supplying him with Luce, the courtesan at Tavie's house. Once elected, he promises the town to be unmerciful on the students. He tells Colby to carry away their corn. He later trips over Cricket's rope and is beaten. He sets up an assignation for Luce, telling Tavie that his password will be "I burn." He arrives and is surprised when Tavie will not at first let him in, saying he has already beaten his head once. At last he gets in but the Rector sends a warrant to search for him there with Luce and he must escape. He hides in a tub but there is a poor wench already sleeping there. Cricket sees him, however, and betrays him to the search. He tries to maintain that he was arresting the beggar-wench, but she tells them he offered her two pence to lie still. He is found out and arrested along with the beggar-wench and both are paraded to jail in their tub. He is released from prison after the fight and is followed by angry mobs of townsfolk who shout at him. He goes to Brecknocke to have him go with him to the duke for remedy, but Brecknocke refuses. He next approaches Colby and Rumford and finds them willing. Brecknocke and two burgesses entreat them not to cause more harm, and Niphle comes up with a compromise plan to appear to make peace with the students and look for an opportunity for revenge. He leads the townsmen before Philenius and Musonius and acts as spokesman. He agrees to their order to take an oath to be subservient.

NIXON, GOODMAN
A "ghost character." Though mentioned in the dramatis personae and in the text, he does not actually appear on stage. One of the twenty-four Electors for the Burgomastership. He is not at the roll call of electors and is fined.

NOTARY
A mute character. When the townsmen come after the fight to treat peace, a notary is on hand to take down all that is said.

OBEDUS TUCK, SIR
A "ghost character." Brecknocke reminds the townsfolk that, last year when he was Burgomaster, Sir Obedus Tuck stood bareheaded before him. He tells them that, odious as it may be, they must now do the same before Philenius and Musonius as they present their petition for peace with the students.

OLIVER GOOSTURD, GOODMAN
One of the twenty-four Electors for the Burgomastership.

PETER BRECKNOCKE
Brecknocke's son. He brings out some cudgels when it is time to go beat the "Athenians."

PHILENIUS
An academic along with Musonius, whom he calls the wiser of them. Cricket calls them both "gravities." Philenius and Musonius, suspecting the townsmen mean no good to the university, propose to enact the ancient club law against them during their election. They spy upon them by gossiping with the townsmen's wives and learning all their secrets that way. Upon learning that the townsmen plan to beat the students with their own club law, Philenius and Musonius plan to turn the tables upon them. He helps arrest Colby stealing their corn and helps break into Tavie's house to catch Niphle with Luce. The searchers find Niphle hiding in a tub with a beggar-wench and parade them to jail in the tub. Philenius and Musonius leave the searchers to arrest Luce and then return to arrest Tavie, too. Tavie begs to be left to watch the house, and they promise to be back tomorrow with his punishments. He brings Musonius news that the Rector will hold Niphle in prison but has released Colby. He opines that Colby has been released only to make more mischief that the Rector can use to put him away indefinitely. He is part of the fight but his particular success is not mentioned. The Rector sends Philenius and Musonius to hear the townsmen treat for peace. He seconds Musonius in lecturing the townsmen and requiring from them an oath of subservience.

PLATO
Only mentioned. In the epilogue, Cricket alludes to the writer as one who mentioned Club Law with approval in his de legibus.

PUFF
Sergeant in attendance on the Burgomaster. He, Tavie, and Tom Catch fail to capture Cricket after he hits Brecknocke with an apple. He invites Monsieur Grand Combatant to the Bergomaster's feast with an eye towards making fun of the Frenchman's accent for the party's entertainment. He later trips over Cricket's rope and is beaten. In the fight, he is beaten and afterwards Monsieur Grand Combatant threatens him as he begs for mercy. He laments the fight, for now the students will laugh at him instead of giving him beer as before. He says he will stop being a sergeant and perhaps become an under butler at the university and end his days in a cellar. He is next found attending and protecting Niphle as he leaves prison.

PURCUS
Searcher in the service of the Rector. He attends Musonius when he comes with a writ to catch Niphle in his lechery with Luce at Tavie's house. When the searchers find Niphle hiding in a tub with a beggar-wench and parade them to jail in the tub, Purcus is placed in charge of bringing Luce to jail after them.

RECTOR
A "ghost character." Head of Cricket's school. He hopes the Rector will provide shackles for Mr. Colby when he tries to steal the students' corn. He sends out a writ to attach Colby for the deed. He next sends a writ by Musonius to arrest Niphles, Tavie, and Luce for their wantonness. He holds Niphle in prison but releases Colby (Philenius believes it is to allow Colby to get into even greater trouble). After the fight, the Rector sends Philenius and Musonius to hear the townsmen treat for peace.

ROGER COWPER, GOODMAN
One of the twenty-four Electors for the Burgomastership.

ROGER TROTT
Searcher in the service of the Rector. He attends Musonius when he comes with a writ to catch Niphle in his lechery with Luce at Tavie's house. After the searchers find Niphle hiding in a tub with a beggar-wench and parade them to jail in the tub, he helps Purcus to arrest Luce.

RUMFORD
'Headsman' or member of the Corporation along with Colby and Cipher. He is "hot spurred" and quick to anger. "He begins or ends every speech, with well said: break their crag: strick their teeth into their throats: de'ele ha' my saul: wack her wele." After Colby and Niphle are arrested, he wants vengeance against the "Athenians" to keep the students from crowing over them. He conspires with Tom Catch to hide poles in Colby's storehouse to use in beating the students. He names Tavie leader. In the fight, he bests Monsieur Grand Combatant. After the fight, he decides to take to horse and ride to complain to the duke. He and Colby plan to go together. He is glad that Niphle is of the same mind but grows angry when Brecknocke persuades Colby and Niphle to reconsider. He reluctantly agrees to Niphle's compromise plan to appear to make peace with the students and look for an opportunity for revenge.

SHAVETT
A "ghost character." Rumford suggests that he should be the next Burgomaster because he is worth two hundred pounds. Colby objects to him because he fears that, because he loves the gentle Athenians (students) too well, and his father was Baker, and because he is a pretie pettifogging Lawyer a kinde of Attorney, he'll "drawe bloud of theise gentle Athenians, he'le tickle them effaith."

SILVERBURROWE
A "ghost character." Though mentioned in the dramatis personae and in the text, he does not actually appear on stage. One of the twenty-four Electors for the Burgomastership. The name suggests a reference to Miles Goldsborow, who was one of the Cambridge town officials when the play was presented. He is not at the roll call of electors and is fined. Brocknecke's jest "we'll make him borrow silver or gold" seems intentionally to conflate the two names.

SIXPENNY
A "ghost character." Though mentioned in the dramatis personae and in the text, he does not actually appear on stage. One of the twenty-four Electors for the Burgomastership. He is not at the roll call of electors and is fined.

SLUGG
One of the twenty-four Electors for the Burgomastership.

SPONER
Searcher in the service of the Rector. He attends Musonius when he comes with a writ to catch Niphle in his lechery with Luce at Tavie's house. After the searchers find Niphle hiding in a tub with a beggar-wench and parade them to jail in the tub, he helps Purcus to arrest Luce. Luce kisses him when she learns they have a mutual acquaintance in Bridget Boulton.

STUDENTS
Mentioned as such in the dramatis personae but not in the text. They are likely the mute group referred to as 'Company' who accompany Philenius and, later, Musonius.

TAVIE
A Welshman. He offers Niphle a courtesan, Luce, in return for advancement to chief sergeant. He speaks in a broad stage-Welsh accent. Cricket lures him from the Burgomaster's feast by telling him a countryman named Morgan waits for him. Tavie goes to Cricket's room where he is locked in and whipped until he misses his dinner. He later trips over Cricket's rope and is beaten. Niphle sets up an assignation for Luce, telling Tavie that the password will be "I burn." He answers the door to Cricket, believing him to be Niphle, and is surprised when he is knocked down. He angrily shuts the door and refuses to let the real Niphle in when he arrives disguised. At last he relents and lets Niphle in, but Musonius, Philenius and the searchers arrive. He warns Niphles and tries to hold the searchers out but to no avail. Philenius and Musonius leave the searchers to arrest Luce and then come to arrest Tavie themselves. Tavie begs them to be left to watch the house, and they promise to be back tomorrow with his punishments. Tavie boasts to Puff and the others that with the arrest of Niphle he is now Captain Tavie who will make the "Athenians" smart for what they have done. After the fight, in which the townsmen are soundly beaten, Puff says Tavie has turned to "cogging" (cheating or swindling, often with loaded dice) and will get much by it. He comes upon Cricket and asks to serve him. He accepts Cricket's offer to speak to the Butler to make him under skinker in the Buttery.

THIRTENS
A "ghost character." Though mentioned in the dramatis personae and in the text, he does not actually appear on stage. One of the twenty-four Electors for the Burgomastership. The name suggests a reference to Godfrey Twelves, who was one of the Cambridge town officials when the play was presented. Thirten is Ketlebaen's gossip or godfather and a leatherworker. He is not at the roll call of electors and is fined a mark, which is a groat more than his name.

THUCIDIDES
Only mentioned. In the epilogue, Cricket alludes to the writer as one who mentioned Club Law with approval.

TOM CATCH
Sergeant in attendance on the Burgomaster. He, Tavie, and Puff fail to capture Cricket after he hits Brecknocke with an apple. Later, he trips over Cricket's rope and is beaten. He tells Rumford that he fears the "Athenians" know the black arts and that the students will make them all dance naked. After the fight, Puff suggests that Catch has stopped being a sergeant and gone to find work at the university insread. Catch is seen, however, attending and protecting Niphle as he leaves prison.

TONGUE IT, GOODMAN
A "ghost character." Though mentioned in the dramatis personae and in the text, he does not actually appear on stage. One of the twenty-four Electors for the Burgomastership. He is not at the roll call of electors and is fined.

TOOKY
A "ghost character." Luce says that Mr Tooky knows that her husband went on the voyage with "Captaine Carifeild."

TOWNSPEOPLE
Mute characters. They appear in the fight to fill the numbers during the brawl between the town and students. The text suggests there are more of them than there are students.

TUTOR, CRICKET'S
A "ghost character." He had a large dictionary but sold it and kept the money. Because of this, Cricket may not sell his own dictionary as the Tutor needs it. Cricket later confides to the audience that he's stolen the Scots dagger he envied from his Tutor.

WENCH, FOUL
A "ghost character." Brecknocke says his only mistake in office was that "once I made a foule fault by fettering a wench to keepe her from her bawderie."

WESTCOCKS
A "ghost character." Though mentioned in the dramatis personae and in the text, he does not actually appear on stage. One of the twenty-four Electors for the Burgomastership. He keeps a house in the country and is never in town. He is not at the roll call of electors and is fined.

WIFE, PUFF'S
A "ghost character." In begging mercy, Puff reminds Monsieur Grand Combatant that he has a wife. The Frenchman taunts him that he will beget children off of Puff's wife.

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Synopsis:

HISTORY of the PLAY:
About the year 1596 the Cambridge townsmen drew up articles of complaint against the University. In these were recited various acts of oppression committed within 15 or 20 years preceding, generally by the Taxors or Proctors in the exercise of their right to enter houses in search of criminals or loose women or to stop the conveyance out of Cambridge of candles or corn or the selling of wine without a license. They also included charges against the University officials of accepting money for permission to do things otherwise forbidden. Article 31 runs as follows: 'They have brought back againe with force divers vessells laden with corne of sondrie persons lawfullie licenced by the Justices, mysseusinge the Corne with wetinge yt and dasshinge yt, and thrustinge a greate deale thereof into the River, and without money will not suffer it to passe.' There is a similar occurrence in the play.

According to Fuller:
"The young Schollars conceiving themselves somewhat wronged by the Townsmen (the particulars whereof I know not) betook them for revenge to their wits, as the weapon wherein lay their best advantage. These having gotten a discovery of some Town privacies, from Miles Goldsborrough (one of their own Corporation) composed a merry (but abusive) Comedy (which they call'd CLUB-LAW) in English, as calculated for the capacities of such, whom they intended spectatours thereof. Clare-Hall was the place wherein it was acted, and the Mayor, with his Brethren, and their Wives, were invited to behold it, or rather themselves abused therein. A convenient place was assigned to the Towns folk (rivetted in with Schollars on all sides) where they might see and be seen. Here they did behold themselves in their own best cloathes (which the Schollars had borrowed) so livelily personated, their habits, gestures, language, lieger-jests, and expressions, that it was hard to decide, which was the true Townsman, whether he that sat by, or he who acted on the Stage. Sit still they could not for chafing, go out they could not for crowding, but impatiently patient were fain to attend till dismissed at the end of the Comedy.

"The Mayor and his Brethren soon after complain of this libellous Play to the Lords of the Privie Councell, and truly aggravate the Schollars offence, as if the Mayors Mace could not be played with, but that the Scepter it selfe is touched therein. Now, though such the gravity of the Lords, as they must maintain Magistracy, and not behold it abused: yet such their goodness, they would not with too much seventy punish Wit, though waggishly imployed, and therefore only sent some slight and private check to the principall Actors therein.

"There goeth a tradition, many earnestly engaging for the truth thereof, that the Townsmen not contented herewith, importunately pressed, That some more severe and publick punishment might be inflicted upon them. Hereupon, the Lords promised in short time to come to Cambridge, and (because the life in such things is lacking when onely read) they themselves would see the same Comedy, with all the properties thereof, acted over again, (the Townsmen as formerly, being enjoyned to be present thereat] that so they might the better proportion the punishment to the fault, if any appeared. But rather than the Townsmen would be witnesses again to their own abusing, (wherein many things were too farre from, and some things too near to truth) they fairly fell off from any farther prosecution of the matter."

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SYNOPSIS OF THE PLAY:
The play of Club Law in the imperfect state in which we have it opens with a scene in which Niphle, a prospective Burgomaster of Athens (i.e. Mayor of Cambridge), makes a compact with a Welshman called Tavie, that for an immoral consideration if Niphle becomes Burgomaster, Tavie shall be made Chief Sergeant. Tavie is at the moment one of three sergeants attending on the Burgomaster, Mr Brecknocke.

Mr Brecknocke comes on the scene and soon after has an apple thrown at his head by a young student named Cricket. The Town Clerk, Spruce, remarks on this, "By our Ladie but wee must have some remedie against this Club law." Cricket, who has been chased by the sergeants, in a soliloquy regrets that 'the Welch rogue' had not followed him into the hall (i.e. College) that wee might but had the villaine to the pumpe.' Two older men (whom we may regard as young graduates) Philenius and Musonius come on the scene, and Cricket tells them of his adventure with the Burgomaster. Musonius thinks the only remedy is to 'renewe the ancient Club-lawe.' Philenius proposes that they should learn their enemies' secrets by humouring their wives. The next scene shows the election of a Burgomaster. The outgoing Burgomaster has the names of the twenty-four electors called over by the Town Clerk. The Town Clerk and the Burgomaster make some diverting speeches and the electors are dismissed to their duties. The result is clear when a cry is heard from within, 'A Niphill ! A Niphill !' Niphle is informed of the electors' choice and makes a speech in which he calls on the citizens to help him in punishing 'those stifnecked students.' According to his promise he gives Tavie the place next his person and invites the company to the mayoral feast.

Cricket, determined to deprive Tavie of any share in this entertainment, goes to his house, and by telling him that a countryman of his, one Mr. Morgan, wishes to see him, lures him into 'our lodging' (i.e. College) where he is locked up and beaten. Another of the sergeants, Puff, invites a Frenchman of the 'Miles Gloriosus' type, Mounsier Grand Combatant, to the Burgomaster's feast, but the Frenchman comes out disgusted with the fare and the company. He prefers 'the Accademick.' After the feast is over and the electors have left, the Burgomaster and others (i.e. the Mayor and Aldermen) hold a council to consider the course they are to pursue towards the ' gentle Athenians ' (i.e. members of the University). It is decided that Mr. Colby shall forestall the market and carry away their corn ('for you have obteyned your suite'). Mr. Rumford shall arrange for them to be well beaten, to 'have their owne Club-lawe,' and Mr. Spruce with the assistance of all shall draw up articles embodying their grievances, and a supplication for remedy.

The wives of Colby and Niphle are now made to disclose their discontent with their husbands and their sympathy with the 'gentle Athenians.' They tell Philenius and Musonius that on the following day at a cudgel-play the young lads of the town intend to 'make them feel Club lawe.'

Cricket after playing his trick on Tavie has overheard that Mr. Colby is to carry away corn under a load of coals that night. He tells Philenius and Musonius, who, armed with a writ of attachment from Mr. Rector (i.e. the Vice-Chancellor), wait to intercept the operation. Cricket himself fills up time by tying a rope to Mr. Burgomaster's door, calling 'murder,' and beating the Burgomaster and his three sergeants when they hurry out and tumble over the rope. He then overhears a private arrangement between Niphle and Tavie that Niphle would visit Tavie's house for an immoral purpose at 12 that night, and would use as a password 'I burn.'

Colby and his colliers are shipping their corn when they are surprised by Musonius, Philenius, Cricket and company. Colby is told of the Rector's writ and is led off to jail, after which Cricket informs Musonius of Niphle's appointment with Tavie. When Musonius goes off to the Rector's to get another writ, Cricket plays another trick on Tavie. By help of Niphle's password, 'I burn.' he induces Tavie to open his door, and then fells him. Accordingly when Niphle appears himself, he has some difficulty before he is admitted. Musonius has now returned with a writ of search from the Rector, and Philenius from escorting Mr. Colby to jail, and they join in demanding admission into Tavie's house. Tavie gives the alarm, 'Ho, Mr. Nifle, the Rector's search is come, what will you doe?' Niphle manages to escape and hide himself in a tub, in which a poor beggar wench, as it happens, has already taken shelter. He is seen by Cricket who undertakes to produce him if he is made Captain of the Search. Niphle when found with the beggar woman takes a lofty tone. 'I hope you found me doeinge no ill, but executing my office. Are we not straightly charged to looke to vagabonds and beggars?' However, his remonstrances are disregarded, and he and the woman are carried in their tub to jail.

The inferior members of the search-party are seen in Tavie's house keeping up conversation somewhat unequally with Luce, the supposed sister of Tavie, for whose sake Niphle had visited the house. She is also carried off as a prisoner to the law.

It is nearly morning, and the academics go off to bed.

Rumford in readiness for the attack which is to be made on the 'gentle Athenians' has had staves laid up in Colby's storehouse. Mrs. Colby informs Musonius of this, and tells him that he can get them away while the townsmen are drinking. Meanwhile Philenius, who has been to see the Rector, returns with the news that the latter has let Colby out of prison, but has issued bills of discommoning against the leaders of the town.

[At this point there is a gap in the MS.]

Tavie has been made Captain of the attacking force, and issues his commands to his natural superiors. Mounsier, though his courage is distrusted by Cricket, joins himself to the other side, who secure the staves from Colby's storehouse.

By way of preparing for the attack, the townsmen arrange fencing-matches between the boys who are with them. Cricket, as directed by his leaders, makes himself offensive and is struck. A general affray then begins. The gentle Athenians bring up their reserve forces, and the townsmen find that their armoury has been rifled. The fight naturally goes against them, Tavie runs away, and the rest beg for forgiveness. Mounsier, however, who has been hiding under a stall, seeing Puff bars de combat, attacks him fiercely in revenge for the bad dinner to which Puff had invited him. Cricket who has seen all denounces his cowardice, and the gentle Athenians go to their lodgings (i.e. College) for the night.

The 5th act shows us the straits to which the townspeople have been reduced by being discommoned. Colby and Rumford have agreed to leave the town and petition the Duke (i.e. the Queen). Niphle who is now released from jail sees that there is no course open but to submit, but will not be the first to propose it, and suggests that they should complain to the Duke. Brecknocke refuses to carry on the feud any longer, and as the burgesses are clamouring for peace, Colby too gives in. Niphle now proposes a feigned submission and even Rumford, the most fiery spirit, acquiesces. A supplication to the Rector is drawn up by Niphle, on the receipt of which the Rector sends Musonius and Philenius to receive the act of submission. The two emissaries adopt a haughty tone, but promise that if their opponents swear true obedience and service, they shall recover the privileges lost by the discommoning. With the taking of the oath the war is at an end, and Tavie asks Cricket to take him as his true man and servant. Cricket promises to have him made underskinker in the buttery, and then delivers the epilogue.

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