York Mystery Plays

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The York Mystery Plays refers to a cycle of forty-eight Mystery Plays based on stories taken from the Bible, performed around Corpus Christi day in the city of York, England from the Middle Ages until 1569. It is one of only four surviving English mystery play cycles. A manuscript of the York plays, dating from 1463-77, survives at the British Library.

Contents

[edit] The Plays

There is no record of the first performance of the York Mystery Plays, but they are first recorded celebrating the festival of Corpus Christi, in York in 1376, by which time the use of pageant wagons has already been established. The plays were organised, financed (and often performed) by the York Craft Guilds. ‘Mystery’ is a play on words, representing both a religious truth, or rite, and, in its medieval meaning of a trade, or craft. The wagons would be paraded through the streets of York, stopping at each of 12 playing stations, designated by the City banners.

The cycle of plays comprise some 48 pageants, which were originally presented upon carts and wagons, dressed for the occasion. In some accounts, there are as many as 56 pageants. They told stories from both the Old and New Testaments, from the Creation to the Last Judgement.

The Plays continued after the Reformation, when in 1548 the feast of Corpus Christi was abolished in England. The plays accommodated themselves to the new religious truth, by cutting scenes honouring the Virgin; but were finally suppressed in 1569.

[edit] The York cycle of mystery plays

Traditionally, an individual Guild would take responsibility for a particular play.

  • 1. Barkers (Tanners) - The Creation, and the Fall of Lucifer
  • 2. Plasterers - The Creation - up to the Fifth Day
  • 3. Cardmakers - Creation of Adam and Eve
  • 4. Fullers (Preparers of woolen cloth) - Adam and Eve in Eden
  • 5. Coopers (Maker of wooden casks) - The Fall of Man
  • 6. Armourers - Expulsion from Eden
  • 7. Glovers - Sacrifice of Cain and Abel
  • 8. Shipwrights - Building of the Ark
  • 9. Fishers and Mariners - Noah and his Wife
  • 10. Parchmenters and Bookbinders - Abraham and Isaac
  • 11. Hosiers - Departure of the Israelites from Egypt;Ten Plagues; Crossing of the Red Sea
  • 12. Spicers - Annunciation and Visitation
  • 13. Pewterers and Founders - Joseph's Trouble about Mary
  • 14. Tile-thatchers - Journey to Bethlehem
  • 15. Chandlers (Candlemakers) - Shepherds
  • 16. Masons - Coming of the Three Kings to Herod
  • 17. Goldsmiths - Coming of the Kings: Adoration
  • 18. Marshals (Grooms) - Flight into Egypt
  • 19. Girdlers and Nailers - Slaughter of the Innocents
  • 20. Spurriers and Lorimers (Spurmakers, makers of bits, etc.) - Christ with the Doctors
  • 21. Barbers - Baptism of Jesus
  • 22. Smiths - Temptation
  • 23. Curriers (Men who dress leather) - Transfiguation
  • 24. Capmakers - Woman Taken in Adultery; Lazarus
  • 25. Skinners - Christ's Entry into Jerusalem
  • 26. Cutlers - Conspiracy
  • 27. Bakers - Last Supper
  • 28. Cordwainers (Shoemakers) - Agony and Betrayal
  • 29. Bowyers and Fletchers - Peter's Denial; Jesus before Caiphas
  • 30. Tapiters (Makers of tapestry and carpets) and Couchers - Dream of Pilate's Wife
  • 31. Listers (Dyers) - Trial before Herod
  • 32. Cooks and Water-leaders - Second Accusation before Pilot; Remorse of Judas; Purchase of the Field of Blood
  • 33. Tilemakers - Second Trial before Pilate
  • 34. Shearmen - Christ Led to Calvary
  • 35. Pinners and Painters - Crucifixion
  • 36. Butchers - Mortification of Christ; Burial
  • 37. Saddlers - Harrowing of Hell
  • 38. Carpenters - Resurrection
  • 39. Winedrawers - Christ's Appearance to Mary Magdalene
  • 40. Sledmen - Travellers to Emmaus
  • 41. Hatmakers, Masons, Labourers - Purification of Mary; Simeon and Anna
  • 42. Scriveners - Incredulity of Thomas
  • 43. Tailors - Ascension
  • 44. Potters - Descent of the Holy Spirit
  • 45. Drapers (Dealers in cloth and dry goods) - The Death of Mary
  • 46. Weavers - The Appearance of Mary to Thomas
  • 47. Ostlers (Stablemen) - Assumption and Coronation of the Virgin
  • 48. Mercers (Dealers in textiles) - Judgement Day

[edit] Modern Revival

In 1909, The York Historic Pageant included a parade of the banners of the Guilds through the streets, accompanying a wagon representing the Nativity. The Play cycle was revived, again, in 1951, in the York Festival of the Arts, as a part of the Festival of Britain celebrations. This was, and has since been performed on a fixed stage in the Museum gardens, and also inside York Minster.

An experimental production using brewers’ drays and market stalls, was performed around Leeds University, in 1975. The modern York Guilds presented a wagon production in 1998, and again in 2002. In 2006, 12 wagons performed in the streets, in conjunction with the Early Music Festival. A further wagon production is scheduled for 2010. They hope to continue the tradition.

The Mysteries is a play adapted from mediæval texts by poet Tony Harrison. It was based on the York and Wakefield Mystery Cycles, and produced at the Royal National Theatre in 1985, directed by Bill Bryden. The play was performed in three parts (each of about two hours):

  • The Nativity (1980[1]),
  • The Passion (1977), and
  • Doomsday (1985).

It was a 'walking performance', with the actors performing inside the audience, who then moved to the next 'playlet', within the space of the Cottesloe Theatre. The following year, it was revived in the larger space of the Lyceum Ballroom.

[edit] The 2002 performances

In the 2002 performance, on wagons, by the craft guilds, the plays performed were:

  • The Creation of the World - The York Guild of Building
  • Moses and Pharaoh (The Hosiers Play)- The Company of Merchant Taylors
  • The Woman taken in Adultery and the Raising of Lazarus (The Cappers Play) - The Company of Cordwainers
  • The Conspiracy against Jesus (The Cutlers Play)- The Gild of Freemen
  • The Death of Christ - The Company of Butchers
  • The Incredulity of Thomas - The Guild of Scriveners
  • The Last Judgement - The Company of Merchant Adventurers

[edit] The modern York Guilds

Apart from the Butchers’ Guild, which has a continuous history of membership from the middle ages, most Guilds had fallen into disuse, and ceased. The revival of the Mystery cycle has seen a corresponding rise in interest, and membership of the Guilds.

[edit] See also

[edit] Sources & notes

  1. ^ Year of first performance at Cottesloe, Royal National Theatre

[edit] Further reading

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