In its own century, the play appeared in print only in the two Beaumont and Fletcher folios of 1647 and 1679; yet modern scholarship has determined that Wit at Several Weapons is a collaboration between Thomas Middleton and William Rowley, written some three decades before its publication.
In addition to the play's appearance in both folios, its belated entry in the Stationers' Register on 29 June 1660 also assigns it to Beaumont and Fletcher.
He is so dedicated to the concept that when his son Wittypate Oldcraft turns twenty-one, Sir Perfidious kicks him out of the family manse with no income, to live by his wits.
The Niece is repelled by the idea of accepting Fop in Cunningham's place; but her uncle's threats to isolate her force her to conceal her real feelings and appear to comply – while ruthlessly berating, ridiculing, and manipulating Sir Gregory in private.
She also flirts with Sir Gregory's clown, Pompey Doodle – so blatantly that Cunningham's jealousy is aroused, proving that he loves her.
In the end, Fop's spirit is so beaten-down that he marries a poor woman who treats him with respect and consideration, rather than the wealthy Niece who scorns and belittles him at every turn.
Wittypate Oldcraft falls in with a group of cheats and con-men: Sir Ruinous Gentry is a "decayed knight", and Priscian is a "poor scholar".