[4] In the old catalogue of the Cottonian library, commenced in the year 1621, in MS. Harl. 6018, there is no notice of the present MS. I find, however, in a list of books “lent out of my study befor this 23 Aprill, 1621,” an entry which may be interesting to the reader: “Ælfricus Grammar Saxon to Ben: Jonson.” This was doubtlessly “the most ancient grammar written in the Saxon tongue and character,” which Kynaston saw in his hands. See Gifford’s Jonson, vol. ix., p. 254.

[5] Collected from the records of the corporation. Mr. Sharp has also printed a Coventry play of a later date, which does not contain the dialectical peculiarity mentioned above.

[6] Laneham’s Letter, 12mo. Lond. 1575, p. 32.

[7] Playe called the foure P. P. sig. d. ii. Sharp has given us many particulars relative to this character. See also Collier’s Hist. Dram. Poet. vol. ii. p. 262-266.

[8] The reader will not perhaps be displeased to see this passage as it stands in the original MS. of Dugdale’s work:—“Before the suppression of the monasteries, this cittye was very famous for the pageants that were play’d therein upon Corpus Christi day. These pageants were acted with mighty state and reverence by the fryers of this house, and conteyned the story of the New Testament which was composed into old English rime. The theatres for the severall scenes were very large and high; and, being placed upon wheeles, were drawne to all the eminent places of the cittye, for the better advantage of the spectators. In that incomparable library belonging to Sir Thomas Cotton, there is yet one of the bookes which perteyned to this pageant, entitled Ludus Corporis Christi, or Ludus Coventriæ. I myselfe have spoke with some old people who had, in their younger yeares, bin eyewitnesses of these pageants soe acted; from whom I have bin told that the confluence of people from farr and neare to see that shew was extraordinary great, and yielded noe small advantage to this cittye.”

[9] “It appears, by the latter end of the prologue, that these plays or interludes were not only played at Coventry, but in other towns and places upon occasion.”—Wright’s Historia Histrionica, 8vo. Lond. 1699, p. 17.

[10] History of Dramatic Poetry, vol. ii. p. 156.

CONTENTS.

PAGE
1.Prologue[1]
2.i. The Creation[19]
3.ii. The Fall of Man[24]
4.iii. Cain and Abel[33]
5.iv. Noah’s Flood[40]
6.v. Abraham’s Sacrifice[49]
7.vi. Moses and the Two Tables[58]
8.vii. The Prophets[65]
9.viii. The Barrenness of Anna[70]
10.ix. Mary in the Temple[79]
11.x. Mary’s Betrothment[90]
12.xi. The Salutation and Conception[105]
13.xii. Joseph’s Return[117]
14.xiii. The Visit to Elizabeth[124]
15.xiv. The Trial of Joseph and Mary[131]
16.xv. The Birth of Christ[145]
17.xvi. The Adoration of the Shepherds[156]
18.xvii. The Adoration of the Magi[161]
19.xviii. The Purification[172]
20.xix. The Slaughter of the Innocents[179]
21.xx. Christ disputing in the Temple[189]
22.xxi. The Baptism of Christ[199]
23.xxii. The Temptation[205]
24.xxiii. The Woman taken in Adultery[213]
25.xxiv. Lazarus[223]
26.xxv. The Council of the Jews[239]
27.xxvi. The Entry into Jerusalem[252]
28.xxvii. The Last Supper[259]
29.xxviii. The Betraying of Christ[280]
30.xxix. King Herod[288]
31.xxx. The Trial of Christ[293]
32.xxxi. Pilate’s Wife’s Dream[308]
33.xxxii. The Condemnation and Crucifixion of Christ[311]
34.xxxiii. The Descent into Hell[329]
35.xxxiv. The Burial of Christ[331]
36.xxxv. The Resurrection[338]
37.xxxvi. The Three Maries[354]
38.xxxvii. Christ appearing to Mary[360]
39.xxxviii. The Pilgrim of Emaus[364]
40.xxxix. The Ascension[377]
41.xl. The Descent of the Holy Ghost[381]
42.xli. The Assumption of the Virgin[383]
43.xlii. Doomsday[401]
44.Notes[407]
45.Glossary[419]