The lady's not for burning

the long version

The play centres around the meeting of cynical Thomas Mendip, a man so bitter that he wishes himself executed, and Jennet Jourdemayne, a young and beautiful girl accused of witchcraft. Thomas's insistence that he be hanged falls on deaf ears, while Jennet's protestations of innocence serve only to incriminate her. Independently both characters turn to Mayor Hebble for understanding and assistance, but are met with only evasion and willing incomprehension. A certain amount of farce is provided by the Devise family, all three of whom are faintly ridiculous.