NOWE OF THE PLAYES OF CHESTER, CALLED

THE WHITSUN PLAYES.

Hemingway's ChesterVol. 1&2

"These playes were the worke of one Randall Higden, monke in Chester- abbey, whoe in a good devotion translated the bible into several partes and playes, soe as the common people might learne the same by their playinge; and also by action in their sighte, and the first time they were acted, or played, was in the time of Sir John Arnewaye about the first yeare of his maroltie, ; aboute A. D. 1328 ; We must judge this monke had no evil intention, but secret devotion therein; soe also the citizens, that did acte and practise the same, to their great coste. Here I must shew the maner of the performing these ancient playes, (which was) all those companies and occupations, which were joyned together to act; or performe their several partes had pageants, which was a building of a great height, with a lower and higher rowme, beinge all open, and set upon power-wheels, and drawne from place to place, where they played. 'the firste place where they begane, was at the Abbeye-gates, where the monks and churche mighte have the first sighte; and then it was drawne to the high crosse before the mayor and aldermen, and soe from streete to streete, and when one pageant was ended, another came in the place thereof, till all that were appoynted for the daye was ended; thus of maner of the playes, all being. at the citizens' charge, yet profitable for them; for all, both far and near, came see them.

"Now follow what occupations bring forth at their charges the playes of Chester, and on what days they are played yearly. These playes were sett forth, when they were played upon Mondaye, Tuesdaye, and Wednesdaye, in the Whitsun-week

1. The Barkers and Tanners - bring forth the Falling of Lucifer.
2. Drapers and Hosiers - the Creation of the World.
3. Drawers of Dee and Water.leaders - Noe and his Shippe..
4. Barbers, Wax-chandlers, and Leeches - Abraham and Isacke.
5. Cappers, Wire-drawers, and Pinners - King Balak, and Balsam, with Moses.
6. Wrights Slaters, Tylers, Daubers, and Thatchers - The Nativity of our Lord
7. Paynters, Brotherers, and Glaziers - The Sheppards ' Offering.
8. Vintners and Merchants - King Herod and the Mounte Victorial.
9. Mecers and Spisers - The Three Kings of Coline.

These nine pagents above written be played on the firstedaye.

1. Goldsmiths and Masons - The Slayinge of the Children by Herod.
2. Smithes Forbers and Pewterers -.Purification of our Lady.
3. Bouchers - The Pinackle, with the Woman of Canaan.
4. Glovers and Parchment makers - The Arisinge of Lazarus from Death to life
5. Corvesers and Shoemakers - The Coming of Christe to Jerusalem.
6. Bakers and Millners - Christe's Manndye with his Disciples.
7. Boyers Flechers, Stringers, Cowpers, and Torners - The Scourginge of Christe.
8. Ironmongers , and Ropers - The Crucifieinge of Christe.
9. Cookes , Tapsters , Hoslers and Inn keepers - The Harrowinge of Hell.

" These nine pagents above written, be played upon second daye, being Tuesdaye in Whitsuu weke

.
1. Skynners,Cardmakers,Hatters, Poyntersus, and Girdlers - .Tho Resurrection
2. Sadlersm, and Fusters - The Castell of Emmaus, and the Apostles.
3. The Taylors.....Ascension of Christe.
4. Flshmongers, Whitsonday - the making of the creed.
3. Shermin - Profetts afore the Day of Dome.
6. Hewsters and Bell-founders - .Antichriste.
7. Weaversn and Walkers - Domesday.

" These seven pagents above-written were played upon the thirde daye, being Wensedaye in Whitson weke "

Archdeacon Rogers concludes his account of these :- exhibitions with the following observations :-" These Whitsun plays were played in A. D. 1574, Sir John Savage, knight, being mayor of Chester, which was the. laste time they were played, and we praise God, and praye that we see not the like profanation of holy scripture; but O the mercie of God for the time of our ignorance: God, he regardes it not, as well in every man's particular, as also in general causes."

These mysteries were the rude origin of the English theatre. Our drama, as Mr. Warton, in his History of English Poetry remarks, was in early times confined entirely to religious subjects; and these plays were nothing more than an appendage to the specious and mechanical devotion of the age. The reader is referred to that gentleman's amusing history of the rise and progress of these performances; but that be may form his own estimate of their character and merits, I shall present him with a few specimens of the gross and ridiculous exhibitions of the times; when the auditory listened with the littlest admiration and devotion, as a late writer remarks, to what would at present fill a theatre with laughter from the gay, at the absurdity, or scandalize the serious part, with the (unintentioned) impiety. These plays, which are enumerated, were twenty-five in number. They were performed for above three centuries; to the staring audience, who received the unvaried subject with the same annual pleasure as the Romans did the farces in their days of honest simplicity.

The Banes (Prologue) which are reade before the beginninge of the plays of Chester.

"Reverende lordes and ladyes all
That at this time here assembled bee,
By this messauge you shall
That sometymes there was mayor of this citie,
Sir John Arnwaye, knighte who most worthilye.
Contented himselfe to sett cut in playe
The devise of one Done Rondall, monke of Chester Abbey.

This moonke, moonke-like, in scriptures well scene
In storyes travilled with the best sorte,
In pagentes set fourth apparently to all eyne
The old and new testament with lively comforth,
Intermingling. therewith only to make sporte
Some things not warranted by any writt;
Which to glad the hearers he would men to take yt

This matter he abbrevited into playes twenty-foure,
And every play of the matter gave but a taste;
Leaving for better learning the circumstance to accomplishe,
For all his proceedinges. maye appeare to be in haste.
Yet all together unprofitable, his labours he did not waste,
For at this day and ever he deserveth the fame..
Which all monkes deserves professinge that name.

These storyes of the testamente at this time you know.,
In a common Englishe never read nor harde.;
Yet thereof in these pagentes to make open shewe.,
This moonke and moonke was nothing afreayde,
With feare of hanginge, brenninge, or cuttinge off heade,
To set out that all maye disserne and see,
And part. good be lefte believe you mee.

As In this citie divers yeares the have bene sete out
Soe at this tyme of Pentecoste, called Whitsuntyde,
Allthough to all the citie follow labour and coste,
Yet God giving leave, that tyme shall you in playe;
For three days together, begynnyng on Mondaye,
See these pagentes played to the best of their skill;
Where to supplye all wantes, shall be noe want of goodwill

As all that shall see them shall most welcome be,
Soe all that here them wee most humblie praye
Not to compare this matter or storie
With the age or tyme wherein we presently stay,
But in the tyme of ignorance wherein we did straye ;
Then doe I compare that this lande throughout,
Now had the like, nor the like dose sett oute .

If the same t belikeinge to the comers all,
Then our desire is to satisfie, for that is all our gaine;
Yf no matter at shewe thereof speciall
Doe not please, but mislike the most of the trayne;
Goe backe l saye to the first tyme againe;
Then shall you fynde the fyne witt at this day aboundinge;
At that day and that age had verye small beinge.

Condempne not our matter where grosse wordes you here,
Which ymporte at this daye small sence or understandynge,
At some tyme poslie lewtie, in good manner or in feare,
With such like will be uttered in their speeches speakinge,
At this tyme those speeches carried good likinge,
Tho at this tyme, you take them spoken at that tyme,
As well matter as wordes, then all is well and fyne.

This worthy knight. Arnwaye, then mayor or this cittie,
This order toke, as declare to you I shall,
That by twenty-fower occcupations, artes, craftes, or misteries ,
These pagentes should be played after brief rehearsall;
For every pagente a ariage to be provided withall,
In which sort we purpose this Whitsontyde,
Our pageants into three panes to devyde

.
Now you worshipful Tanners that of custom old,
The fall of Lucifer did set out,
Some writers awarrante your matter - therefore be boulde,
Lustely to play the same to all the rowtte;
And yf any therof stande in any doubte,
Your author his author hath your shewe let be,
Good speech, fine players, with apparell comelye."

[ Here follow 106 lines of directions to the several companies, mingled with apologies for several exceptionable passages, after which the prolougue thus concludes . ]

"The Cominge of Christe to give eternal judgmente,
You Weavers laste of all your parte is for to playe.
Domesdaye we calle it, when the Omnopotente,
Shall make end of this worlde, by sentence I say.
One on his right. hande to stand, God grant us that day;
And to have that sweets worde in melody;
Come hether, Come hether, Venite benedicti

To which reste of wayes, and selestial habitation,
Grante us free passage, that altogether wee,
Accompanied with angells, and endlese delectation,
Maye continually laude God, and prayse that king of glorye."

[The following apologies for exceptionable passages, occur in that part of the prologue which is here omitted.]

"The beirth of Christ shall all see in that stage,
if the scriptures awarrant not the midwifes report,
Our author telleth his author, take it in sport.
_____________________________________
"See that Gloria in excelsis be song merelye,
Few words in that pageant makes meirth trulye.
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" As our belief is that Christe after his passion
Descended into Hell; but what he did in that place,
Though our author set forth after his opinion,
Yet creditt you the best learned: those dotb he not disgrace.
We wish that of all sortes the best you imbrace."

Extracts From "Noe and his Ship.'

"Then Noe shall goe into the arke with all his familye; his wife except;
the arke must be borded rounde aboute, and upon the bordes all the beasters and fowles hereafter rehearsed must be painted, that these words may agree with the pictures."

NOE
"Wife come in, why standes thou there,
Thou arte ever frowarde I dare well swear.

NOE'S WIFE
"Yea, Sir, set up your sayle,
And row forth with evill haile,
For withoutten faile I will not out
Out of this towne;
But I have my gossippes every eich one,
One foote further I will not gone;
They shall not drowne by St. John,
And I maye save there life;
But thou wylt let them into that cheist.
Else rowe forth, Noe, where thou list,
And get thee a new wife.

THE GOOD GOSSIPPS.
"The flood comes flitting in full fast,
One every side that spreadeth full farr;
For fare of drowning I ame agaste,
Good gossippes let us drawe neare;
And let us dnnke, or we departe,
For oft-tymes we have done soe,
For at a draught thou drinkes a quarte,
And soe will l doe or l goe;
Here is a pottell full of Malmeseye gode and stronge,
Yt will rejoice both hart and tonge ;
Though Noe thinke us never so longe,
Yet we win drinke alike.

JAPHAT
"Mother, we pray you all together
For we are here, your owne children;
Come into the shipp, for feare of the weather

NOE'S WIFE
"That will I not, for all your call,
But I have my gossipes all.

SEM.
"In fayth, mother, yet thou shalt,
Whether thou wylt or not.

NOE
"Welcome, wife, into this boot.

WIFE.
"Have thou that for thy note. (Gives him a box on the ear.)

NOE.
"Ha! ha marye this is hott,
It is good for to be still;
A! children, methinkes my boate remeves,
Our tarying here highly me greeves ;
Over the land. the water spreades,
God doe as he will "

From "King Balack and Balaam," with the Prologue.

"Cappers and linen-drapers, see that you fourth bring
In well decked order, that worthy storee,
Of Balaam and his Asse., and of Balacke the kinge;
Make the Ass. to speake., and set yt out livelye .

ASINA
"Master, thou doest evill sikerly,
So good an Asse. as me to aye;
Nowe. thou hast beaten me here thrye,
That bare thee thus aboute.

BALAAM
"Burnell, why begylest thou me,
When I have most nede. of thee.

ASINA.
"That sighte that before me l see,
Maketh me downe to lowte ;
Am not I, master, thyne own Asse,
To beare thee whither thou wilte passe,
And many winters ready was ,
To smyte me it is shame
Thou wottest well, master , padye
Thou hadest never non like to me
Ney, never yet soe served I thee ,
Nowe ame I not to blame."

From " The Creation of the World

"Then God taketh Adam by the hand, and causeth him to lye down and taketh a rybb out of his side, and sayth," &c. &c.
"Then God doth make the woman of the rybb of Adam; then Adam wakeing speaketh unto God as followeth

ADAM
" I see well lorde, through thy grace,
Bone of my bone, thou here mase ,
And fleshe of my fleshe she hase ;
And my shape through thy sawe ,
Wherefore she shall be called, I wysse,
Virage nothing amisse,
For out of man taken she is
And to man shall she drawe.

Then Adam and Eve shall stande naked, and shall not be ashamed ; then the serpent shall come up out of a hole, and the divill walking, shall say,

"That of woman is forbidden to doo ,
For any thinge they will there too;
Therefore that tree she shall come to,
And assaye what yt is;
A manner of an edder is in this place,
That winges like a bird she hase,
Fete as an edder, a mayden's face,
Here kinde I will take
And of the tree of paradice
She shall eate through my contyse ;
For women they be full licorise ,
That will not she forsake."

These plays were exhibited several times after the reformation; but they were at this era so generally discountenanced as to fall into disrepute and disuse. There were, besides these scripture dramas, others of a profane character, which were acted occasionally on special occasions . The Shepherd's Play was acted in St. John's church-yard in 1515; in 1529, the play of Robert Cicell , was performed at the High Cross; on the Sunday after Midsummer-day, 1563, the "History of Aeneas and queen Dido" was played on the Rood-eye, set out by one William Crofton, gentleman, and one Mr. Mann, Master of Arts . In 1577, the Shepherd's Play was performed before the Earl of Derby at the High-cross, and other triumphs on the Rood-eye. And in 1589, a play was performed at the High-cross, called the story of " King Ebranke with all his sonnes . "