English Miracle Plays, Moralities and Interludes

'English Miracle Plays, Moralities and Interludes; Specimens of the Pre-Elizabethan Drama' serves as an essential anthology of the foundational works that shaped the English theatrical tradition. Edited by the distinguished scholar Alfred W. Pollard, this collection presents a curated selection of miracle plays from major cycles such as those of York, Chester, Towneley, and Coventry. These dramas represent a pivotal era when theater transitioned from church liturgy into the hands of town guilds, blending religious instruction with vibrant, communal storytelling.Beyond the miracle plays, the volume includes significant examples of moralities and interludes, documenting the shift toward allegory and more secular themes that would eventually give rise to the Elizabethan stage. Each piece is contextualized with scholarly insights into the linguistic, historical, and dramatic significance of the era. By providing direct access to these early texts, this work offers readers a profound look into the medieval imagination and the evolution of the English language. It remains a vital resource for anyone interested in the origins of drama and the rich literary heritage of pre-Elizabethan England.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.