The largely forgotten Thuringian author Ahasverus Fritsch (1629-1701) was one of the most prolific writers of the 17th century. In his culture-critical writings he draws upon his experiences as an official at the minor court of the Schwarzburgs in Rudolstadt. "Der Beschämte Geschenck-Fresser" (1683) is an example of the German satirical tradition in the depiction of courtly life dating back to the Middle Ages. The central character is the stock figure of the eminently bribable and generally corruptible court official.