Mumming

Mumming began in ancient times – all the way back to ancient Egypt & Greece The Medieval mummer was an amateur actor who performed in village plays at harvest time and Christmastime. The informal roots of mummery eventually led to traveling bands of actors – players, jongleurs, minstrels and their helpers – They performed at fairs, holiday celebrations and other events to earn their living Their work spread throughout Europe and then finally to England Mummers often wore elaborate costumes and masks to represent various characters in their plays

Mummer’s Plays In the earliest years, mummers' plays portrayed ancient fertility rites. Later, reenactments of legends like "St. George and the Dragon" became popular. As Christianity spread, Bible stories were adapted into plays.

Mumming The current Mummer’s play decends from ritual dramas, probably of Saxon origin, where, three characters act out the drama. Two heroes - usually including St George (as Prince or King George) - enact a battle in which one is killed, then a doctor resurrects the fallen hero. The actors should be disguised and submerged in their characters for the magic of light overcoming darkness to be effective. Other characters may have come back from the Crusades, such as the Slasher and the Turkish Knight.

Mummer’s Plays During the miserable winters, the medieval mummers brought revelry to the peasant folk of rural England. During traditional winter festivals, the masked players paraded through the village streets, entering homes at random to dance or play dice with the residents. The troupes, thought to bring good luck, were accompanied by minstrels playing strangely wistful music. Mummers soon became a regular part of royal court festivities.

Mummer’s Plays For England's King Richard II, the mummers performed a traditional play which symbolically foretold the end of winter and the promise of renewed life in the spring. When the colorfully dressed players finished their play, they began a procession which worked its way to the king's throne, increasing in revelry as it snaked through the court. Once they reached the throne, the mummers invited the monarch to play dice with them. Equally popular in the court of King Edward III, the mummer’s play with its delightful costumes and frivolity became a traditional part of the Christmas festivities.