Scripts

The plays which form the Lichfield Mysteries were selected and edited by Dr Robert Leach from a wide range of medieval scripts including The Lichfield Fragments. Further text was taken from other existing mystery cycles as noted below.

The plays have been slightly modernised to eradicate obscure passages, although their medieval atmosphere has been retained. They are presented in three parts. The first part tells the stories of the Old Testament. The second part covers the events surrounding the nativity and the third part covers the passion, crucifixion and resurrection of Christ.

Each play has been written to form a single self-contained entity that can be performed by a discrete group. This is in keeping with traditional practice in the middle ages where each play would be performed by a guild or group of people.

The plays are taken from medieval cycles as follows:

Durham:	The Prologue
York:	The Creation of Heaven and Hell, Adam and Eve, Exodus from Egypt, part of The Nativity, The Crucifixion.
Wakefield:	The Killing of Abel, Abraham and Isaac, The Shepherds, part of The Flight into Egypt, The Buffeting, Jesus before Pilate.
Chester:	Noah's Flood, The Last Supper, Betrayal, The Harrowing of Hell, The Ascension.
Coventry:	The Annunciation, Joseph's Doubt, part of The Nativity, The Kings, The Slaughter of the Innocents, part of The Flight into Egypt, The Entry into Jerusalem, The Burial, The Resurrection, Doomsday
Lichfield:	Parts of the Nativity, The Shepherds, The Resurrection.

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