Politics, Satire, and Caroline Manuscript Drama: The Example of The Twice Chang’d Friar (Arbury Hall MS A414)

Keenan examines the manuscript comedy The Twice Chang'd Friar written around 1617 to 1630 and is yet to be published. The comedy suggests that political satire was similarly important in the world of Caroline manuscript drama and that at least some amateur playwrights, followed the example of their professional peers, and used their plays to work 'out their political ideas'. The Twice Chang'd Friar is included in a manuscript miscellany at Arbury Hall, Nuneaton, the Warwickshire home of the Newdigate Family.