This text is more than a translation of von Kliest's Der Zerbrochene Krug, as the action now takes place in Skipton, in 1810 and is transformed by a tough Yorkshire dialect. The play concerns Judge Adam, Skipton's sole agent of justice, who is far from happy to be visited by the magistrate Walter Clegg, seeking out signs of malpractics. The trial that Walter overseas seems uncomplicated at first - the formidable Martha is suing her daughter's fiance, Leslie, for breaking her jug. However, many family grievances are unearthed and discovering the identity of a mysterious man seen with the daughter becomes crucial to the case.