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A Satire of the Three Estates
John McGrath A Satire of the Four Estaites front cover programme lo res.jpg
Detail from the front cover of the programme for John McGrath's 1996 adaptation.
Written by David Lyndsay
Date of premiere 1540 (private) / 1552 (public)
Place of premiere Edinburgh, Scotland
Original language Lowland Scots
Genre Morality play

A Satire of the Three Estates (Middle Scots: Ane Pleasant Satyre of the Thrie Estaitis), is a satirical morality play in Middle Scots, written by makar Sir David Lyndsay. The complete play was first performed outside in the playing field at Cupar, Fife in June 1552 during the Midsummer holiday, where the action took place under Castle Hill. It was subsequently performed in Edinburgh, also outdoors, in 1554. The full text was first printed in 1602 and extracts were copied into the Bannatyne Manuscript. The Satire is an attack on the Three Estates represented in the Parliament of Scotland – the clergy, lords and burgh representatives, symbolised by the characters Spiritualitie, Temporalitie and Merchant. The clergy come in for the strongest criticism. The work portrays the social tensions present at this pivotal moment in Scottish history.

Images for kids

  • Linlithgowpalace 180609 - 03

    The 1540 interlude was performed in the hall of Linlithgow Palace

  • Thrie Estaitis banner 1982

    The Assembly Hall, New College, Edinburgh, was the venue for the 1982 Edinburgh International Festival production

See also

  • Scottish literature
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