Cornwall.
Hitchins, in his History of Cornwall (1824, vol. i. p. 718), gives the following account of the Christmas plays, which at one time were performed in this county at Christmas. He says, the lads who engage in these theatrical representations appear fantastically dressed, decorated with ribbons and painted paper, with wooden swords, and all the equipage necessary to support the several characters they assume. To entertain their auditors, they learn to repeat a barbarous jargon, in the form of a drama, which has been handed down from distant generations. War and love are the general topics, and St. George and the Dragon are always the most prominent characters. Interludes, expostulations, debate, battle, and death, are sure to find a place among the mimicry; but a physician who is always at hand immediately restores the dead to life. It is generally understood that these Christmas plays derived their origin from the ancient crusades, and hence the feats of chivalry and the romantic extravagance of knight-errantry that are still preserved in all the varied pretensions and exploits.—See Every Day Book, 1827, vol. ii. p. 122.
It was customary at one time in Cornwall on the last Thursday that was one clear week before Christmas Day, which was anciently called jeu-nhydn, or White Thursday, for the tinners to claim a holiday, because, according to tradition, on this day black tin or ore was first melted or turned into white tin or metal in these parts.—Hitchins, History of Cornwall, 1824, vol. i. p. 725.
Cumberland.
In this county, and in all the great towns in the North of England, about a week before Christmas, what are called Honey-Fairs are held, in which dancing forms the leading amusement.—Time’s Telescope, 1824, p. 297.
Derbyshire.
Christmas festivities are well observed in Derbyshire; mummers or guisers go from house to house, and perform a play of St. George. They are dressed up in character and decorated with ribbands, tinsel, and other finery, and on being admitted into the house commence their performance by St. George announcing himself by beginning his oration:
“I am St. George, the noble champion bold,
And with my glittering sword
I’ve won three crowns of gold;
It’s I who fought the fiery dragon,
And brought it to the slaughter;
And so I won fair Sabra,
The king of Egypt’s daughter.
—Seven have I won, but married none,
And bear my glory all alone,
—With my Sword in my hand,
Who dare against me stand?
I swear I’ll cut him down
With my victorious brand.”
A champion is soon found in the person of Slasher, who accepts the challenge. St. George then replies in a neat speech, when they sing, shake hands, and fight with their wooden swords, and Slasher is slain. The King then enters, saying:—“I am the King of England, the greatest man alive,” and after walking round the dead body, calls for, “Sir Guy, one of the chiefest men in the world’s wonder,” who shows his wonderful courage and prowess in calling for a doctor. The doctor, on making his appearance, gives a long and quaint account of his birth, parentage, education, and travels, whilst perambulating around the fallen Slasher, and ends his oration by saying:
“Here take a little out of my bottle,
And put it down thy throttle.”