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Medieval Theatre �History

Medieval Theatre refers to theatre between the fall of the Western Roman Empire and the beginning of the Renaissance. The term refers to a variety of genres because the time period covers approximately a thousand years of the art form and an entire continent. Most medieval theatre is not well documented due to a lack of surviving records and texts, a low literacy rate of the general population, and the opposition of the clergy to some types of performance.

Very little is known about secular drama during the early medieval time. There certainly existed some performances that were not fully fledged theatre; they may have been carryovers from the original pagan cultures (as is known from records written by the clergy disapproving of such festivals). It is also known that mimes, minstrels, bards, storytellers, and jugglers traveled in search of new audiences and financial support.

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Mumming: early Medieval folk play, gift giving ceremony

Also used as a gift giving ceremony. Mummings are one of the earliest styles of Medieval drama. Early as it was, it still had very strong pagan roots, with appearances of St. Nick right alongside the Green Man, a pagan vegetation god. While these plays were performed in yearly rituals, such as the summer and winter solstices and spring and summer equinoxes, the most important remains as the Yule Mummings. These performances were public communal processions in common social areas, excepting chapels. Mummings were also unapologetically politically incorrect.

Though minstrels created their own tales, often they would memorize and embellish the works of others. Frequently they were retained by royalty and high society. They traveled from town to town, and were popular well into the Renaissance.

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Minstrel:

traveling musician

(bard, troubadour)

Also used as a gift giving ceremony. Mummings are one of the earliest styles of Medieval drama. Early as it was, it still had very strong pagan roots, with appearances of St. Nick right alongside the Green Man, a pagan vegetation god. While these plays were performed in yearly rituals, such as the summer and winter solstices and spring and summer equinoxes, the most important remains as the Yule Mummings. These performances were public communal processions in common social areas, excepting chapels. Mummings were also unapologetically politically incorrect.

Though minstrels created their own tales, often they would memorize and embellish the works of others. Frequently they were retained by royalty and high society. They traveled from town to town, and were popular well into the Renaissance.

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Eucharist: holy communion, the taking of the blood and body of Christ in the church.

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Trope: Singing or responsive reading in the early church.

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During the early Medieval Period, the Church banned theatrical performances.
Latin was official language of the church, all church messages and sermons were in Latin
Common people could not speak Latin
Priests & Clergy began to act out messages so the common people would understand them.