Sir Roger at the Assizes – By Richard Steele (Summary)

"Sir Roger at the Assizes" is a satirical essay by English essayist Richard Steele. It portrays Sir Roger de Coverley, a respected old country gentleman. The essay also explores themes of personal satisfaction and peace of mind, as Sir Roger feels appreciated by society.

The narrator describes the journey toward the court, which he made with his friend Sir Roger and Will Wimble. He describes Sir Roger as a kind, gentle, mild person with peace of mind in the eyes of others. He is beloved, esteemed, and regarded as a benevolent man in his neighborhood. Sir Roger needed the narrator and Will Wimble as his companions to the court. On the way, two men, Yeoman and Tom Touchy, joined them.

While Will Wimble and the two men were riding a little ahead, Sir Roger described the two men’s characters. The Yeoman was an honest man who received permission for hunting. He killed hares, pheasants, and partridges (a kind of bird) for his dinner. So, he couldn’t be a good neighbor. On the other hand, Tom Touchy was an immoral and dishonest man who took legal action against everybody, even in petty matters, and bothered everyone.

Will Wimble and Tom Touchy wanted Sir Roger’s opinion regarding their dispute, too. Actually, Will Wimble was fishing in a river, and Tom Touchy was against it. Sir Roger heard them both, and after a pause, he said, "Much might be said on both sides." It made neither of them guilty, and both were happy with his opinion.

When Sir Roger and his companions reached the court, the old knight stood and delivered a short but insignificant speech in the middle of the court to impress others. While returning home, they stopped at an inn to rest. The owner of the inn was Sir Roger’s former servant. He had kept a painting of his old master on a signpost to show his respect.

Sir Roger felt it disrespectful, though his servant had made it to show respect for him. Sir Roger said that it was too high a compliment for a person like him, who is below a duke. So, he ordered someone to change some features of the painting and make it look like a frowning Saracen. The painter was called, and he added whiskers and some other features to it.

The picture still resembled Sir Roger. When Sir Roger asked the narrator whether the painting still looked like him or a Saracen, the narrator used Sir Roger’s diplomacy and said, "Much might be said on both sides."