Basoche

/bəˈsoʊʃ/ noun

Definition

A medieval French society or brotherhood of legal clerks and scribes who organized festivities and satirical performances.

Etymology

From Old French 'basoche,' possibly related to 'bas' (low) referring to lowborn clerks, or from a specific location in Paris where they gathered.

Kelly Says

The Basoche was essentially the medieval world's first performance-art collective—these legal clerks created political satire and comedy that challenged authority in ways that would make modern comedians jealous.

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