Excerpt from The Chester Plays: A Collection of Mysteries Founded Upon Scriptural Subjects, and Formerly Represented by the Trades of Chester at Whitsuntide The Mysteries and Miracle Plays of the middle ages possess an interest not only as illustrating the history of the stage in its infancy, but as pictures of the man ners and condition of our forefathers, and also as indi cating the quantity and the peculiar character of the religious knowledge inculcated into the populace in Catholic times. The Chester Plays complete the publi cation of the different series of such productions in the English language hitherto generally known. It is perhaps desirable that the few single plays of a Similar cha racter that are found scattered in different parts should be collected together in a volume, to form a companion to the others. I think it probable also that other sets exist: one, said to be the oldest yet known, was brought to light at the Strawberry Hill sale, and it is Sincerely to be hoped that it will be published. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.