S.R. (1926)
Source:
S. R. (Auth.)
THE MUMMERS' PLAY: More Light on the Origin of Plough Monday Masque
Nottingham Journal,
12th Jan.1926, No.31235, p.4 d-f
The author starts by mentioning the reproduction of Mrs. Chaworth Musters'
version of a Plough Monday play [Cropwell, Notts.] in A.H. (1926), and its
discussion in E.K.Chambers' (1903) "The Mediaeval Stage". However he clearly
disagrees with Chambers' discussion of folk plays. Race recognises two sorts of
play, the Christmas St. George play, and the Plough Monday play. The St.George
play is the older version, with a plot or structure dating back to pagan times,
and a text dating back to the Crusades. The Plough Monday play he considers to
be a "2nd edition" produced to extend the actors' touring season. He notes that
Robin Hood did not appear in Notts., plays, and that the "Recruiting Sergeant"
of Plough Monday plays probably originated with the Napoleonic Wars. He further
notes that chapbooks were a source of some plays in the 1870s.
Quotes fragments of Notts., texts from Cropwell, the Selston district, and
"North Notts. round Retford", the latter probably taken from E.Sutton (1913).
Index Terms:
| Locations: |
Cropwell, Notts. (SK6836); Retford, Notts. (SK7080); Selston, Notts. (SK4553); North Nottinghamshire, Notts.
|
| Years: |
Publ. 1926; Publ. 1870s
|
| Subjects: |
Plays; Origins; Chapbooks; Plough Monday; St. George; Christmas; Robin Hood; Recruiting Sergeant; Plough Monday; Chambers,E.K. (1903); H.,A. (1926)
|
| People: |
Sydney Race (Auth.)
|
| Archives: |
TDRG Archive, Ref. TD00201;
Notts. County Library, County Folklore Box
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Last Updated Jan 1990 by Peter Millington.
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