Note E496 — 114.

Nicholas Udall was the author of our oldest known comedy "Roister Doister." He was born 1505, and was Master first at Eton and afterwards at Westminster, at both of which places he became notorious for the severity of his punishments. He wrote several dramas, now lost, one of which, "Ezekias," was acted before Queen Elizabeth at Cambridge, and, in all probability, "Roister Doister" was intended to be performed by his pupils.