Nicholas Udall

Nicholas Udall (1504–1556; also known as Nicholas Woodall) was an English clergyman, schoolmaster, and playwright. He was the author of Ralph Roister Doister, considered the first comedy to be written in English.

Udall was Headmaster of Eton College until 1541, when he was forced to leave after being convicted of offences under the Buggery Act 1533. The felony of buggery, like all other felonies, carried a sentence of capital punishment by hanging, but Udall had friends in the Government and managed to get the sentence reduced to a year in prison. He later became Vicar of Braintree and then of Calborne, Isle of Wight, and finally in 1554 Headmaster of Westminster School.