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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
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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.
