Basoche

The Basoche was an association of law clerks in 15th and early 16th century France. They were known for staging short, satirical plays called soties. In these plays, characters dressed as fools, complete with traditional jester costumes, would engage in witty banter and farcical humor, often commenting on contemporary people and events.1

Initially, soties were used as introductions to longer mystery and morality plays. However, the Basoche developed them into an independent theatrical form. The soties were openly satirical and sometimes used as a tool in political disputes. Due to their sharp criticism, they were eventually forbidden in the 16th century and replaced by other forms of satire.1