THE WAKEFIELD MYSTERY PLAYS /Martial Rose /15th CY /1st

Wakefield Mystery PlaysThe Wakefield Mystery plays are a cycle of 32 scriptural plays dating from the early 15th century, which were performed as part of the summertime religious festival of Corpus Christi. The text of the plays has been preserved in the Towneley Manuscript, so called after the Towneley family from Burnley in Lancashire that once owned it, and is now in the Huntington Library in San Marino, California. The plays are sometimes referred to as the Towneley Cycle. Originally performed in York these plays were transferred to Wakefield, probably in the later 14th century, and there established as a Corpus Christi Cycle. Each Cycle then developed in its own way although six of the plays in each are almost identical, and there are similar speeches in others. The Wakefield plays are considered superior in a literary sense to any other surviving Cycle due mainly to the work of a talented reviser, known as the Wakefield Master, who had a particular skill for language and rhyme, as well as wit and satire. The Cycle begins with the fall of Lucifer and ends with the Last Judgment. It is not known how long it took in performance although the Chester Cycle, which is shorter, was given over three days; the York Cycle, which is longer, was given in one. Two plays about Jacob are peculiar to the Wakefield Cycle, which omits many narratives from the New Testament that are found in all the other surviving Cycles. The Cycle is also unusual in that there are two shepherds' plays. Thisis the hardcover statedDoubleday First US Edition from 1962. Other than ex lib markings and aclipped back cardholderflyleaf, both thecover and the bookare in very good condition. There are no rips, tears, etc.and the pages and binding are tight. This wonderful, impossible-to-find item is available for purchase now! **Note: All books listed as FIRST EDITIONS are stated by the publisher in words or number lines--or--only stated editions that include only the publisher and publication date.NAME YOUR PRICE!!!Due to the vagaries of market fluctuations,an item's listed priceshould be considered a guideline. Serious buyers are welcome to make aBEST OFFERon each and every item listed, with the assurance thatALL reasonable offers will be accepted!Drama;English drama;English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh;Fiction;General;Mysteries and miracle-plays, English;Reader's Catalog;To 1500 73107Powered by eCRATER . List your items fast and easy and manage your active items.