The Wakefield Mystery Plays

London: Evans Brothers, 1961. 1st Edition . Hardcover. Very Good/Good. First edition, first printing. Hardback in dustwrapper. 22 × 14.5cm, 464pp. "Four hundred years ago the various medieval mystery plays - the great classic dramas of their day - were ousted from their prideful lace in the social and religious life of the time by over-zealous guardians of the Protestant faith. Since then, interest in them has necessarily been confined to those students and scholars equipped to conduct their researches in Middle English. Of the great cycles, York, Lincoln, Wakefield, and Chester, there is little doubt that Wakefield presents the most balanced and dramatic collection. Now, for the first time, it is available to all - to read, to take part in, to enjoy: a complete version of the original text, made intelligible to the modern audience and reader." The cycle is notable for the "The Second Shepherd's Play," one of the great treasures of medieval literature. Condition: The book is in very good condition, with a neat previous owner's name to the ffep. The dustwrapper is a little tanned to the spine edges, and with a little edgewear but is otherwise good.