IN THE BEGINNING...

There was theatrics throughout history, and it comes to the era of Medival. The play which has landed in my hands is part of the Chester Cycle, Play 2. Before I begin, I would like to remind the reader the period the material relates too.

It was in the late Middle Ages (1300's-1500's) where the cycle of religious plays were at it's peak. The cause of this was due to the help of the church releasing the plays upon the people. In short, before the 1300's the church held the rights to the plays being performed. The Cycle plays purpose was to have people wanting to come to church after seeing them. As time progress, the chruch then slowly, but surely, let the plays go public.

The blooming of the plays in the late Middle Ages can be connected with the influence of the economic and political changes which occured during the (1050's-1300's). The plays could not be produced when the surroundings are filled with feudal lords. As a result, Guilds were formed to protect the peoples interest from such lords and merchants (when the play would travel). But do not be lead astray, I am not saying the guilds were formed for the plays, but the community banded the group together. Each guild had its hiearchy, and once civil becomes greed. Kings and princes began to take control of the guilds, therefore the lords which had the people's trust; would influence the people, but then once again ruled by the kings.

In any case, the plays were still produce with the blessing of the church. Now we understand the timeline of the origins surroundings of the cycle plays. We, now can construct the production of the play itself and form an understanding of the big question...WHY?

SOURCE:

Brockett, Oscar G.. "European Theatre in the Late Middle Ages." History of the Theatre. Edited. Karon Bowers. Boston: Pearson Education Inc., 2007. Print.