0
A mumming is a type of folk play, known in many areas of Europe but particularly common in England, Scotland and Ireland, that combines music, dance, and sword fighting in episodes involving the death and revival of a character or characters. (The name derives from a French word meaning masked.) They most probably developed from earlier sword dances, many of which continued to be performed after the appearance of the mummings. The sword dances, in turn, may derive from the folk festivals of agricultural communities; their form suggests descent from a ritual that may have included actual sacrifice. With their central incident of death and revival, the mummings are thought to symbolize the resurrection of the year. Grafted onto the pagan core, which dates back to at least 1000 AD, are elements of Christianity, British history, and mythology
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
How did caroling begin in the Middle Ages?
What I am finding as I do research on this is that carols began with dances that were accompanied by choral singing. The carols were not originally all for Christmas, but were used for many different purposes throughout the year. The description of mummings, however, makes me wonder whether caroling was not derived, at least in part, from these. Mummings were plays done in the Early Middle Ages. They had pagan roots, and often mixed old pagan stories with Christian references. They are said to have been politically quite incorrect, and I would guess they could have been very comical. But the characteristic that made them like caroling was that they were performed by groups of people who went from house to house, and one of the times when this was especially done was Yuletide. There are links below.
Over time did Medieval plays change subject?
Early in the Middle Ages, there were some secular plays. Then there were plays called Mummings, that combined Christian and pagan elements, and did not adhere to the standards of the Church or authorities. About the tenth century, Miracle Plays and Mystery Plays appeared, and these had Christian themes. Not long after, Morality Plays appeared, and dealt with moral issues from a Christian point of view. In the High Middle Ages and Late Middle Ages, Manners Plays appeared, which were more of a secular nature. There is a link below to an article on Medieval Theater.
What were the two most popular types of drama performed during the medieval period?
If we are to divide medieval drama into two types, I think they would have to be religious and secular. Medieval drama is usually divided into five types. Three of these, Miracle plays, Morality Plays, and Mystery plays, dealt with religious issues, and two, Mummings and Manners plays, were secular. Please use the link below for more information.
Why did the medieval drama decline?
Medieval theater included types of play that were intended to instruct people religiously. These included Morality plays, Miracle plays, and Mystery plays. As the Middle Ages came to an end, these types of plays were targeted by people opposed to the influence of the Roman Catholic Church as too Catholic, and they were mostly banned by the Catholic Church because they did not really represent it, but gave Protestants things to complain about. One type of medieval theater that survived was Mummings, which most religious people opposed for the entire Middle Ages, but were too much fun to be suppressed everywhere. They are still done today. Another type of medieval theater that survived and evolved was Manners plays, who were not religious in nature and were only suppressed from time to time as being too worldly or, during times of contagion, too attractive to crowds of people who might spread disease.
What did the servants do in the middle ages?
Here are the jobs:-women- laundresses- tended to children, there own and others- worked along side there husbands- cleaned--men- worked on the fields of lords/ barons- clean- serve the higher classes- did whatever the lord/ baron wantedLife as a "serf" was often difficult and long. Though they were the lowest of the classes they made up most of the population.
Who was Sir Alfred Munnings?
Sir Alfred Mummings (1878-1959) was an English painter who specialized in scenes that included horses.
Who were the comedians of the Middle Ages?
There were jesters, who were rather like comedians and worked in the courts of noblemen and kings. There were also actors in the theaters of the Middle Ages, and in particular people, called mummers, who acted in the performances called mummings.
How did caroling begin in the Middle Ages?
What I am finding as I do research on this is that carols began with dances that were accompanied by choral singing. The carols were not originally all for Christmas, but were used for many different purposes throughout the year. The description of mummings, however, makes me wonder whether caroling was not derived, at least in part, from these. Mummings were plays done in the Early Middle Ages. They had pagan roots, and often mixed old pagan stories with Christian references. They are said to have been politically quite incorrect, and I would guess they could have been very comical. But the characteristic that made them like caroling was that they were performed by groups of people who went from house to house, and one of the times when this was especially done was Yuletide. There are links below.
Who was the central character in English 'mummings plays'?
it is "Robin Hood".its true
What are some eight letter words with 1st letter M and 3rd letter M and 5th letter I and 7th letter G?
According to SOWPODS (the combination of Scrabble dictionaries used around the world) there are 1 words with the pattern M-M-I-G-. That is, eight letter words with 1st letter M and 3rd letter M and 5th letter I and 7th letter G. In alphabetical order, they are: mummings
What are some eight letter words with 1st letter M and 2nd letter U and 3rd letter M and 6th letter N?
According to SOWPODS (the combination of Scrabble dictionaries used around the world) there are 1 words with the pattern MUM--N--. That is, eight letter words with 1st letter M and 2nd letter U and 3rd letter M and 6th letter N. In alphabetical order, they are: mummings
What are mummers in medieval times?
Mummers were entertainers who took part in performances of a type called mummings. These were said to be comic plays, but there is very little really known about them until well after the Middle Ages. They are said to have been performed in disguise, by groups going from house to house at Christmas and in other places at other times, based on both Christianity and pagan religion, and to have been politically very incorrect. There is a link below.
What was the purpose of medieval theater in society?
1st Answer:The only plays that were done in the middle ages was done by the church to teach bible stories. The people couldn't read so the church did things to teach the lessons from the bible.2nd Answer:Starting in the Early Middle Ages, possibly earlier, there were plays called mummings that are said to have been originally pagan, with Christian elements added as time passed. We know a bit about these, but we do not have any actual texts. They were supposed to be very politically incorrect, and were sometimes performed by groups of actors going door to door, in much the same way carolers do at Christmas or children do for Halloween. The mummings continued to be performed throughout the Middle Ages, basically for entertainment and to support the actors.Morality plays, miracle plays, and mystery plays were all performed with the support of the Church.In the High Middle Ages, a new type of secular play was developed for entertainment. These were called manners plays, and were comic, dramatic, historical, or of whatever type.There is a link below.
What religion would there be in Medieval theaters?
Everyone was Catholic ---- We can be certain that not everyone was Catholic. There were Jews and Muslims, who would not have been likely to be involved in medieval theaters, but there were also a large number of heterodox and heretical medieval sects, and some other religions. Given the unorthodox nature of theatrical people, the political incorrectness of mummings, which were plays of a medieval type, I would guess that many religious views would have been represented among the actors and other people of the stage.
What are some eight letter words with 2nd letter U and 4th letter M and 7th letter G and 8th letter S?
According to SOWPODS (the combination of Scrabble dictionaries used around the world) there are 4 words with the pattern -U-M--GS. That is, eight letter words with 2nd letter U and 4th letter M and 7th letter G and 8th letter S. In alphabetical order, they are: gummings hummings mummings summings
Where there theaters located in the city during the middle ages?
In Western Europe of the Middle Ages, there were few permanent theaters, and possibly none at all. The earliest permanent theaters put up in England appeared in the Renaissance. Medieval theatrical performances were done in courtyards, open areas in the countryside, and town squares. In some places, certain types of plays were put on in churches. Mummings were done by people who wandered from house to house, rather as Christmas carolers do, or children at Halloween.
What are some eight letter words with 1st letter M and 2nd letter U and 3rd letter M and 4th letter M and 7th letter G?
According to SOWPODS (the combination of Scrabble dictionaries used around the world) there are 1 words with the pattern MUMM--G-. That is, eight letter words with 1st letter M and 2nd letter U and 3rd letter M and 4th letter M and 7th letter G. In alphabetical order, they are: mummings
