Mysteries of the York cycle

The first Russian translation and, accordingly, the first Russian edition of the famous and practically unknown to the domestic reader of the monument of the medieval theater. The cycle of York Mysteries (XIV -XV centuries) consists of a number of small plays on biblical plots of both the Old and New Testaments - from the creation of the world to the Last Judgment. The manuscripts of several such cycles in the Middle English language survived. Of these, the York cycle is considered the most successful and best preserved.

, in the era of the late Middle Ages, the mystery played with great success in the cities of non-professional actors, invariably gathering huge crowds of spectators. Such plays, written by verses, most likely composed clerics whose names did not reach us. They, apparently, also carried out the directing of performances that lasted all day - from dawn to sunset. The plays were performed in the open air in several places of the city. The scene was a special wagon on wheels, which could freely move along the narrow medieval streets. One wagon on which this or that play was played out was replaced by another, on which a new action appeared. Then she also left, and her place took the third such performances in England once a year, in the middle of summer, shortly after the Trinity, on the Catholic festival of the Body of Christ, for almost three centuries - from XTV to XVI - and gradually ceased with the advent of the reformation. The cycles of the mysteries had an unconditional influence on the Elizabethan playwrights (including Shakespeare), who continued the traditions of the medieval theater.

In addition to the plays proper, the book contains a scientific article about the mysteries of the York cycle and a prostrate commentary. The book is unique and its richest visual series (OK 250 ill.), The basis of which was made up of miniatures from medieval illuminated manuscripts. The publication is intended both to professionals, historians of theater and literature, and the widest circle of readers who are interested in medieval culture and perception of the Holy Scriptures.