WAKEFIELD PLAYS

Collection of 32 plays dating from c.1425. A MS still extant is dated to 1485 by evidence of the handwriting. It would seem that these plays were part of a cycle put on by crafts of the town; this is deduced from the headings given to several of the plays. For example, one is headed 'lyster play', a lyster being a dyer; another is called 'barkers', another 'glover', a fourth 'fysher'. Several of the plays were taken from the York cycle; but the treatment is somewhat different. There is, however, distinct textual evidence for one particular writer, known today as the Wakefield Master. He wrote five plays using a distinctive long stanza, and more alliteration than elsewhere in the collection. The master's contributions included Noah and Magnus Herodes (Great Herod) or the Innocents; also two Pastores plays, i.e. concerning the shepherds. In Bethlehem, one of the shepherds addresses the Christ child: 'Hail, little, tiny mop [child] / Of our creed thou art crop [complete, come to fruition]'. -

Cf.Chester plays; Miracle play; Mystery play; York plays