The N-Town Cycle of Mystery Plays

N-Town Cycle of Mystery Plays, The

    Alternative Title: Ludus Coventriae; The Coventry Mystery Plays; The Hegge Plays

    Author: Anon.

    First Performance: Late 15th c., various English towns, including Lincoln

    Published: 1922

    Genre: Cycle of 40 mystery plays; Middle English (East Anglian dialect) verse

    Setting: Heaven and earth, from the Fall of Lucifer to the Last Judgement

    Cast: approx. 50m, 5f, many extras

Based on the one manuscript, there are approximately 40 plays, which closely follow the sequence of events in The York Cycle. Major omissions, however, are any plays dealing with the Israelites in Egypt, while additions are The Tree of Jesse and those uniquely dealing with the early life of Mary, including her conception and betrothal.

Long thought to be...

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