In the hope of bringing the actual presentment of Mediaeval Miracle
Plays more vividly before the minds of children, I have cast information
concerning them into the form of a story. But, while this method of
dealing with the plays may prove to the childish reader more interesting
and palatable than a mere summary of what is known concerning them, it
leads to certain liberties difficult to avoid in fiction.
It seemed, to take an example, in some ways more convenient to lay the
scene of the little story in York. Yet many of the Wakefield and
Coventry plays lend themselves to description better than those of the
York series. However, when in the course of the tale I have made use of
an alien play, I have taken care to mention the fact, and to invent a
reason (plausible enough, I trust, in a story) for its performance at
York.
Again, the stage directions for some of these old plays are so vague
that the precise manner of their presentment must be left to individual
imagination and common sense. In a story there is no room for tentative
speculations, nor for suggested alternative treatments; and this being
the case, I trust I may be forgiven if occasionally I handle my material
over-confidently. This explanation is offered to older students, to
whom, simple as it is, my little summary, compiled from the recognized
authorities on the subject of miracle plays, may yet be of some value.
In writing it I found most helpful and delightful Mr. Sidney W. Clarke’s
book, _The Miracle Play in England_, and, written by Mr. Ernest Rhys,
the preface to _Everyman_, in Everyman’s Library. To both these
gentlemen my thanks are specially due.