LUDUS COVENTRIÆ.
A Collection of Mysteries,
FORMERLY REPRESENTED AT COVENTRY
ON THE
FEAST OF CORPUS CHRISTI.
EDITED BY
JAMES ORCHARD HALLIWELL, ESQ. F.R.S.
HON. M.R.I.A., F.S.A., F.R.A.S., &c.
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR THE SHAKESPEARE SOCIETY.
1841.
LONDON:
F. SHOBERL, JUN., 51, RUPERT STREET, HAYMARKET,
PRINTER TO H. R. H. PRINCE ALBERT.
COUNCIL
OF
THE SHAKESPEARE SOCIETY.
President.
- THE MOST NOBLE THE MARQUESS OF NORMANDY.
Vice-Presidents.
- RT. HON. LORD BRAYBROOKE, F.S.A.
- RT. HON. LORD F. EGERTON, M.P.
- RT. HON. THE EARL OF GLENGALL.
- RT. HON. LORD LEIGH.
- AMYOT, THOMAS, ESQ., F.R.S., TREAS. S.A.
- AYRTON, WILLIAM, ESQ., F.R.S., F.S.A.
- BRUCE, JOHN, ESQ., F.S.A.
- CAMPBELL, THOMAS, ESQ.
- COLLIER, J. PAYNE, ESQ., F.S.A., DIRECTOR.
- COURTENAY, RT. HON. THOMAS P.
- CRAIK, GEORGE L., ESQ.
- DILKE, C. W., ESQ., TREASURER.
- DYCE, REV. ALEXANDER.
- HALLIWELL, J. O., ESQ., F.R.S. F.S.A., &c.
- HARNESS, REV. WILLIAM.
- JERROLD, DOUGLAS, ESQ.
- KENNEY, JAMES, ESQ.
- KNIGHT, CHARLES, ESQ.
- MACREADY, WILLIAM C., ESQ.
- MADDEN, SIR F., F.R.S., F.S.A., KEEPER OF THE MSS. IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM.
- MILMAN, REV. HENRY HART.
- TALFOURD, MR. SERGEANT, M.P.
- TOMLINS, F. GUEST, ESQ., SECRETARY.
- WRIGHT, THOMAS, ESQ., F.S.A.
- YOUNG, CHARLES M., ESQ.
Three complete collections of ancient English mysterieshave descended to modern times, or ratherare now known to be preserved, which are generallydistinguished by the titles of the Chester, the Townley,and the Coventry Mysteries; and, with the exceptionof a few detached pieces of far inferior importance,we derive nearly all our actual knowledge of theearly English drama from these series of plays, whichhave been long known to every one interested inthis class of literary pursuits, as some of the mostcurious and valuable relics of bygone times; notmerely as important records of our early stage, but alsoas illustrating, in a very interesting manner, the customs,language, and manners of the periods to which they belong.The only one of these series (which is, perhaps,the most important of all), that has yet been printed, isthe Townley, which was published by the Surtees Society,with a very interesting and learned preface byMr. Hunter. The Coventry is contained in the followingvolume; and the Chester, so ably commented uponby Mr. Markland, a gentleman to whom belongs the distinctionof being the first in recent times to direct public...