The Third and Last Part of Conny-Catching. (1592) With the new deuised knauish arte of Foole-taking

A vivid glimpse into the seedy underbelly of Elizabethan London, this work pulls back the curtain on the crafty confidence‑tricksters known as “cony‑catchers.” Drawing on recent pamphlets, the author catalogues their disguises, deceitful gestures and the tangled web of accomplices they enlist, from sly peddlers to unscrupulous women. The text reads like a warning from a concerned citizen, urging honest folk to recognize the signs before they fall prey to these practiced swindlers.

Through a lively banquet scene, a seasoned gentleman recounts his own encounters with the cony‑catchers, sharing startling details that were previously unknown even to the most vigilant. He paints vivid portraits of their tricks—false pretenses, clever wordplay and the subtle art of “fool‑taking”—while urging the community to remain vigilant. Listeners will find themselves immersed in a richly narrated snapshot of a city wrestling with crime, morality and the ever‑present threat of deception.