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Interludes were probably performed by professional actors between the acts of longer plays or the courses of a feast. The origin of the term 'Interlude' is obscure and it can comprise a variety of short stage entertainments with a religious or political point, such as farces or dialogues. The characters shown did not present allegories or biblical characters, as in the morality and mystery plays, but types, as we know them from classical comedy. Interludes were already known under Edward III.

One of the earliest examples is the Interludium de Clerico et Puella (c. 1300-1325). The first fully developed Interlude, and at the same time the first completely preserved secular play in English, is Henry Medwall's Fulgens and Lucres (c. 1496).

Other titles are: The Four PP and Johan the Husband, Tyb His Wife, and Sir John the Priest.