Beggars Bush: A Comedy: From the Works of Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher (Volume 2 of 10)

In Short

This seventeenth-century comedy centers on the secret identity of Florez, the true heir to the Earldom of Flanders, who lives as a prosperous merchant in Bruges under the name Goswin. While he unknowingly navigates a web of political intrigue, his father, Gerrard, leads a band of clever beggars who serve as the hidden resistance against the tyrant Wolfort. Blending high-stakes political maneuvering with the rowdy antics of a criminal underworld, the play explores themes of loyalty, disguise, and the redemptive power of honesty in a corrupt state.

The Story

The story unfolds in a Flanders ravaged by the tyranny of Wolfort, a usurper who seized power after the death of the rightful Earl. Wolfort’s regime is defined by greed and cruelty, leaving him haunted by guilt and the knowledge that he has not yet eliminated all the proscribed members of the true noble line. Unbeknownst to the public, the rightful heir, Florez, is living in the city of Bruges as a wealthy merchant named Goswin. He is beloved by the local citizens and is deeply in love with Bertha, a young woman he believes to be the niece of Hemskirk, a treacherous captain in Wolfort’s service.

Meanwhile, Gerrard, the rightful Earl’s advisor and father to Florez, has gone into hiding, disguising himself as "Clause," the King of the Beggars. He manages a secret network of outcasts who act as the eyes and ears of the resistance. Gerrard’s primary mission is to protect his son while waiting for the right moment to strike back at the usurper. His task is complicated when Hubert, an honest lord and friend to the exiled family, returns to Flanders. Hubert attempts to infiltrate Wolfort’s inner circle to gather intelligence, eventually meeting Gerrard and discovering the truth about Goswin’s identity.

The tension escalates when Wolfort learns that the resistance is active in Bruges. Hemskirk attempts to seize Bertha, but he is thwarted by Goswin, whose bravery highlights his noble character. As Goswin’s business ventures face a sudden financial crisis—a scheme designed by Gerrard to test his son's character and prepare him for the sacrifices of leadership—the beggars step in to provide the necessary funds. This act of "charity" binds the merchant to the beggars in a way he does not yet understand.

As the climax approaches, Gerrard orchestrates a series of events to reveal Florez’s true identity and lure Wolfort into a trap. Hubert plays a crucial role by convincing the suspicious Wolfort that he can lead him to the hidden rebels. Under the guise of a hunt, they lead the usurper and his army into the woods where the beggars reside. The trap is sprung; the forces of the rightful heir surround the tyrant. While Wolfort is defeated and captured, the young prince displays mercy, choosing to banish the usurper rather than execute him, hoping that he might eventually repent. Florez is reunited with Bertha, and with the help of his father and the loyal Hubert, the rightful rule of Flanders is restored.

How It Unfolds

The usurper’s shadow Wolfort’s reign is haunted by the ghosts of his past actions, specifically the displacement of the true Earl’s family. His uneasy grip on Flanders is maintained through fear, even as he privately suffers the psychological toll of his tyranny.

The merchant’s secret Florez, living as the merchant Goswin, thrives in Bruges while remaining blissfully ignorant of his royal lineage. His life is defined by his trade and his devotion to Bertha, unaware that his own father is the leader of the city's beggars.

The beggars' court Gerrard, masked as the "King of the Beggars," governs his ragtag community with surprising order and wisdom. He uses his position to monitor the state’s movements, preparing a silent, effective resistance that defies the local authorities.

The turning point Financial ruin threatens to dismantle Goswin’s reputation, forcing him into a moment of vulnerability. Gerrard seizes this opportunity to reveal his influence, securing the merchant’s safety and drawing him closer to his true destiny.

The final trap Hubert successfully manipulates Wolfort into a false sense of security, leading the usurper’s forces into the woods. The beggars emerge from the shadows to assist in the capture, turning the hunter into the prey.

A new order With the usurper finally in chains, the true identity of Florez is revealed to the people. The play concludes with a restoration of justice, though the prince chooses the path of mercy over vengeful execution.

The People

Florez (Goswin) is a generous, high-minded merchant who seeks only to protect his business and his love, Bertha. His journey is one of awakening; he begins as a man defined by his wealth and ends by embracing his responsibility as the rightful Earl.

Gerrard (Clause) is the architect of the resistance. Driven by his love for his son and his loyalty to the state, he adopts the guise of a beggar to operate beneath the notice of the tyrant. He is the moral compass of the play, trading his status for the safety of his family.

Wolfort is the play’s antagonist, a man whose ambition has hollowed him out. He is defined by his fear of those he has wronged, and his trajectory is one of inevitable collapse as his paranoia leads him directly into the traps set by his enemies.

Hubert serves as the bridge between the two worlds of the court and the beggars. He is a man of integrity who risks everything to serve the rightful heir, using his wits to turn the usurper’s own agents against him.

Bertha is the central romantic figure, whose identity is also shielded by deception. She remains constant in her affection for Goswin, despite the political chaos that surrounds her.

In Its Own Voice

"A Prince in nothing but your princely lusts, / And boundless rapines."

Hubert confronts the usurper Wolfort, stripping away his titles to reveal the moral corruption beneath his rule.

"He will not force away your hens, your bacon, / When you have ventur'd hard for't, nor take from you / The fattest of your puddings."

Higgen, a beggar, delivers a satirical eulogy for the old ways, highlighting how the "beggar king" protects the common man from the theft and taxations of the state.

What It's Really About

The play poses a sharp question about the nature of true authority versus the exercise of power. Through the transformation of Florez from a merchant to a prince, it argues that legitimacy is earned through character—honesty, mercy, and devotion to the common good—rather than inherited status alone. The beggars represent a mirror to the state, suggesting that those on the margins often possess more integrity than those in the halls of power. It examines the corrupting weight of usurpation, showing that a ruler built on deception is inherently fragile, while a resistance built on mutual support and truth can endure even the harshest of winters.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy the intricate, layered plots of Elizabethan and Jacobean drama will find much to admire here. The play feels like a precursor to modern stories about "hidden kings" and secret rebellions, yet it retains a distinct seventeenth-century flavor. It is a work of great energy; the scenes among the beggars are particularly vivid, filled with slang, wit, and a surprisingly democratic spirit that feels remarkably ahead of its time.

However, the reader should be prepared for the challenges inherent in the period’s language. The dialogue is dense and makes frequent use of archaic cant and specific references to Flemish politics that may require patience. Furthermore, the attitudes toward gender and class, while representative of the time, are rigid. Despite these hurdles, the central arc of a man realizing his potential while his father watches from the shadows provides a satisfying, emotional core. What stays with you long after the final act is the portrayal of the "beggars' court"—a community of outcasts who prove that even in a world of tyranny, people can organize themselves with dignity, humor, and an unshakeable moral code. It is an honest, warmhearted comedy about the resilience of the human spirit.