The mediaeval stage, volume 2 (of 2)

This volume traces the development, texts, and performance practices of medieval religious and secular drama, beginning with liturgical plays and their evolution from church tropes into vernacular guild and parish cycles. It examines the secularization of sacred rites, the organization and repertory of guild and parish plays, and the forms of moralities, puppet-plays, and processionary pageants. A final section treats the interlude, its performers, and the interaction between humanist learning and medieval dramatic forms. Extensive appendices assemble manuscript texts, musical notation, account-book evidence, dance and mask traditions, and representative playtexts to support the narrative and provide documentary resources for further study.