[45] See Wright’s Early Mysteries, p. 26.
This play, together with the play of The Salutation and the Nativity and The Shepherds’ Play, was acted at Chester in 1906 by Mr. Nugent Monck and his “English Drama Company” under the auspices of the Chester and North Wales Archæological Society, and with success, but the expense was too great to admit of the whole cycle being performed. The same plays have also been performed in London by Mr. Monck’s company, and by Mr. Benson’s company at Stratford-on-Avon during the Shakespeare Commemoration week.
In conclusion, I would point out that the motto of the city of Chester is curious and indeed unique:—
“Antiqui colant Antiquum Dierum.”
“Let the ancient people worship the Ancient of Days.”
I cannot help thinking that this contains an occult reference to the Chester Mystery Plays.
THE SIEGE OF CHESTER
By the Archdeacon of Chester[46]
[46] The writer has got most of the information in this paper from The History of the Siege of Chester, published by Broster in 1790.
THE city of Chester, with its ancient walls and ramparts, erected as they were for the protection of the inhabitants, must have experienced many an onslaught, and again and again its citizens must have known what it was to be besieged for a shorter or a longer period. But the Siege of Chester—the one, that is, which stands out in history so that it deserves this definite title—is the one that occurred in the time of the Civil War, and which lasted practically for three years, and for one year at least was very close.