York Mystery Plays Anonymous - York Mystery Plays

There is no record of the first performance of the mystery plays, but they were recorded as celebrating the festival of Corpus Christi in York in 1376, by which time the use of pageant wagons had already been established. The plays were organised, financed and performed by the York Craft Guilds ("Mystery" is a play on words, representing a religious truth or rite, and its Middle English meaning of a trade or craft). The wagons were paraded through the streets of York, stopping at 12 playing stations, designated by the city banners.

The cycle uses many different verse forms, most have rhyme, a regular rhythm with fairly short lines and frequent alliteration. The balance of critical opinion is in favour of several clerics being responsible for their authorship, one of whom is conventionally known as the "York Realist". It comprises 48 pageants that were originally presented on carts and wagons dressed for the occasion. In some accounts there are as many as 56 pageants. They told stories from 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 were accommodated in to the new religious orthodoxy by cutting scenes honouring the Virgin, but were suppressed in 1569.

Traditionally, an individual guild took responsibility for a particular play.[1][3][4]

1. Barkers (Tanners) – The creation, and the Fall of Lucifer
2. Plasterers – The creation – to the Fifth Day
3. Cardmakers – Creation of Adam and Eve
4. Fullers (preparers of woollen cloth) – Adam and Eve in Eden
5. Coopers (makers of wooden casks) – 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 the Red Sea
12. Spicers – Annunciation and Visitation
13. Pewterers and Founders – Joseph's trouble about Mary
14. Tile-thatchers – Journey to Bethlehem, the Nativity of Jesus
15. Chandlers (Candlemakers) – The Annunciation to the shepherds, the Adoration of the 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 – Massacre of the Innocents
20. Spurriers and Lorimers (Spurmakers and makers of horse bits and bridles) – Christ with the Doctors
21. Barbers – Baptism of Jesus
22. Smiths – Temptation of Jesus
23. Curriers (men who dress leather) – Transfiguration
24. Capmakers – Woman Taken in Adultery; Raising of Lazarus
25. Skinners – Jesus' entry into Jerusalem
26. Cutlers – The conspiracy: Pilate, Annas, Caiaphas, Bargain of Judas
27. Bakers – Last Supper
28. Cordwainers (Shoemakers) – Agony, Betrayal and Arrest
29. Bowyers and Fletchers – Denial of Peter; Jesus before Caiaphas
30. Tapiters (makers of tapestry and carpets) and Couchers – Dream of Pilate's wife; Pilate's court
31. Listers (Dyers) – Trial before Herod
32. Cooks and Water-leaders – Second Accusation before Pilate; Remorse of Judas; Purchase of the Field of Blood
33. Tilemakers – Second Trial before Pilate
34. Shearmen – Christ Led to Calvary
35. Pinners (nailers), Painters and Latoners (lattensmiths; brass workers) – 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 (Scribes) – Incredulity of Thomas
43. Tailors – Ascension
44. Potters – Descent of the Holy Spirit
45. Drapers (Dealers in cloth and dry goods) – Death of Mary
46. Weavers – Appearance of Mary to Thomas
47. Ostlers (Stablemen) – Assumption and Coronation of the Virgin
48. Mercers (Dealers in textiles) – Judgement Day