The mediaeval stage, volume 2 (of 2)

Delve into the vibrant world of medieval performance with a guide that uncovers the many layers of stagecraft from the 12th to the 16th centuries. Beginning with the wandering minstrels, the work charts their repertoire, daily life, and the bustling networks that linked courts, churches, and village squares, offering vivid portraits of the musicians who once filled town streets with song and story.

The second half turns to the rituals that turned ordinary festivals into theatrical spectacles—May‑games, sword dances, the flamboyant Feast of Fools, and the solemn liturgical dramas that ushered congregations into mystery plays. Richly illustrated with references to original manuscripts and detailed commentary on regional variations, the volume invites listeners to imagine the sights, sounds, and communal joy of an era when drama was woven into the fabric of everyday life.