York Mystery Plays Summary

York Mystery Plays Summary

Each play was the responsibility of a particular Guild of workers. The first, the Creation story, and the fall of Lucifer, was taken on by the Tanners, a group of leather crafters who often took on pivotal roles in the community. The Plasterers Guild also performed a play about the Creation, and they enacted the Lord's work until the fifth day. The Cardmakers, who hand-made greetings cards and missives, focused on the story of Adam and Eve's creation, including the creation of Eve from the rib of Adam after he had complained to God of his loneliness. Adam and Eve's time in the Garden of Eden, including the temptation, was performed by the Fullers, men who prepared woolen cloth for dyeing.

The makers of wooden casks where ale was stored were known as Coopers. They would perform a re-enactment of the Fall of Man, telling the story of Eve's succumbing to the temptation offered by the Serpent. The expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden was performed by the Guild of Armourers.

The Clovers; Guild which brought together the town's glovemakers, performed a play about the sacrifice of Cain and Abel. The most fitting allocation was that of the play given to the Shipmakers' Guild; they performed a piece about the making of the Ark, Noah's story being continued by Mariners. This brought with it genuine emotional realism as both Guilds understood that which they were performing.

The Bookbinders' Guild told the story of Abraham and his willingness to sacrifice his only son, Isaac. This was followed by the telling of the story of the exodus of Israelites fro Egypt.

Spicers - those who traded in spices and other plants - tell the story of the Annunciation, when the Angel Gabriel appears to the Virgin Mary. The Guild of Pewterers continue Mary's story, and the Nativity is the play performed by Tile Thatchers, those who thatch the roofs of houses. The Christmas story continues through the theatrical interpretation of the Candlemakers, Masons and Goldsmiths.

Horse grooms perform the story in the Gospel of Matthew known as the Flight into Egypt. This tells of the appearance of an angel to Joseph warning him to flee to Egypt with Mary and the infant Jesus, because of the threat from Herod. This became known as the Massacre of the Innocents and portrays the slaying of all male children at the order of King Herod. This part of the story is told by Girdlers, those who made metal belts.

Christ's baptism is portrayed by the Barbers' Guild, and Blacksmiths told of the Temptation of Jesus. The Transfiguration, as told in the Books of Matthew, Mark and Luke, is portrayed by the Curriers, who were a guild of men who treated leather so that it could be used for clothing and also for saddlery.

The Last Supper is recounted by the Bakers' Guild, whose performance is followed by that of the shoemakers who re-enact the betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot, and his arrest. The Flethchers, who fashion bows and arrows, deal with Peter's denial of Jesus.

The Guild of Carpetmakers re-enact Pontius Pilate's court, and Jesus' appearance before Herod is performed by fabric dyers, known as Listers. Cooks then re-enact the remorse of Judas, upon realizing what he has done.

Jesus is led to Calvary in a play performed by Shearment - those who sheared sheep - and the Crucifixion is portrayed by the Guild of Painters. The Butcher's Guild portray the burial of Christ, and his resurrection is portrayed by the Guild of Carpenters.

The Tailors' Guild re-enact the Ascension of Christ to Heaven with the Potters portraying the descent of the Holy Spirit. The plays end with the portrayal of Judgement Day by the Mercers,

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