It is well known that in many parts of England Mumming Plays are still exhibited at various seasons, particularly at Christmas. Besides the dances, such as the Hobby Horse at Salisbury, the Hobby Horse or Horn Dance in Staffordshire (F. L., vii., 382, with plate), there are other observances accompanied by dialogue.
The Christmas Play, of which an account follows below, seems to have been general in England at one time. It still lingers in several parts of the country, and more than one version has been printed. The fullest known to me is that given in the Folk-Lore Journal (vol. iii., pp. 87 ff.) from Dorsetshire. Another has been reprinted by Chambers in his Book of Days, vol. ii., pp. 740-1 (with woodcut), from Tales and Traditions of Tenby, and The Peace Egg. There are further the Sussex Tipteerers Play (F. L. J., vol. ii., pp. 1. ff), and in F. L. J., vol. iv., pp. 98 ff, we find another version taken from an old MS, which the players used. The place of the last is not stated.[1] It is still acted each year at Rugby and in the country round.
I do not propose to write further on the genesis and history of these plays, as I have not access to all the books referred to. However, I would suggest that it would be
- ↑ The following references, partly taken from F. L. J., vol. ii., pp. 88-89, may be useful:—Whitehaven: Hone’s Every Day Book, p. 823 (ed. 1866). Worcestershire: Notes and Queries, 2 ser., vol. xi., p. 271. Yorkshire: printed by J. Johnson, Rotation Office Yard, Kirkgate, Leeds (later by Wm. Walker, London and Otley), and worked up into a children’s play by J. H. Ewing, The Peace Egg. See also Old English Customs, by J. H. Ditchfield. North Ireland: Notes and Queries, 4 ser., vol. x., p. 487. See also N and Q., 5 ser., vol. iv., p. 511 (Leeds and Sheffield), Halliwell’s Rhymes and Tales, pp. 306-310, N. and Q., 5 ser., vol. x., p. 489 (Hastings). Readers are referred to this paper for much interesting information. It is to be hoped that the Dumbleton version mentioned (p. 113) will be made public.
