P.Mayfield (1976)

Source:

Pat Mayfield (Auth.)
Legends of Nottinghamshire
Clapham: Dalesman Books, 1976, 0-85206-352-0

This book concerns the folklore and traditions of Notts. The chapter headings are; "1 Nottinghamshire Legends", "2 Religious Folklore", "3 Legends and Love Trysts", "4 Witches and Ghosts", "5 Sherwood Legends", "6 Legends from Town and Village", "7 Legendary Characters", and "8 Plays and Games". There are a number of items relating plays.

Washington Irving's (1835) description of Plough Monday Plough Bullocking at Newstead Abbey, Notts. is mentioned. However a play text is appended which, although attributed to Newstead Abbey, is the same as the South Notts. text given by C.Brown (1874) and J.P.Briscoe (1876). This attribution therefore seems very dubious. The text (48 lines) has the characters; Anthony, King of England, Prince George, Selina, and Doctor.

The text of a Mansfield play is mentioned, provided by Mr.E.W.Mellors, which includes the characters; Beelzebub, Courtier, Mickey Bent, Molly Mop, Tommy Tupp and Slasher. A further text (50 lines) from Mr.Mellors is reproduced in full. This is a Christmas play entitled "Poor owd 'oss" which was apparently still alive in the 1860s. It featured a horse and a blacksmith. Both these texts seem to be from the A.S.Buxton Collection.

Plough Lights are mentioned. Plough Trailing and malicious ploughing at Shelford are described. Again identical to the accounts of C.Brown and J.P.Briscoe. Maid Marian and Robin Hood are mentioned as appearing in some plays.

Index Terms:

Locations: Notts.; Newstead Abbey, Notts. (SK5453); Mansfield, Notts. (SK5361); Shelford, Notts. (SK6642)
Years: Publ. 1976; Current 1860s
Subjects: Folklore; Traditions; Legends; Plays; Irving,W. (1835); Plough Monday; Plough Bullocking; Full Texts; Anthony; King of England; Prince George; Selina; Doctor; Beelzebub; Courtier; Mickey Bent; Molly Mop; Tommy Tupp; Slasher; Christmas; "Poor Owd 'Oss"; Horse; Blacksmith; Plough Lights; Plough Trailing; Malicious Ploughing; Maid Marian; Robin Hood
People: Mr. E. W. Mellors (Col.)
Archives: TDRG Archive, Ref. TD00079

Last Updated Apr 1988 by Peter Millington.