BRODY, A. The English Mummers & Their Plays: Traces of Ancient Mystery. (Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1970) [ISBN 0 7100 7067 5] 215pp. The first full-length work of scholarship since Chambers, although there is a suspicion that many of the ideas were cribbed from Alex Helm. Increases in the number known plays caused shifts in what was considered significant. Recommended as the newcomer's second book. Three texts.

CAWTE, E C, Alex HELM & Norman PEACOCK. English Ritual Drama: A Geographic Index. (Folk-Lore Soc. 1957) 132pp.
A most important book which, though ageing, is still the first place to seek information about plays from a specific area.

The significance of the Index makes it easy to overlook this book's several discussive chapters, five sample texts & most extensive list of references Sadly the value as a tool is limited by quoting only the earliest (often obscure) source although the material may be reprinted more accessibly. Amendments & additions were published in the magazine Roomer, q.v., numbers 1/5; 2/2 & 5/2.

CHAMBERS, Sir Edmund K. The English Folk Play. (Clarendon 1933/69) 248pp
Deep but dated thinking, with five texts including Ampleforth and Revesby. Weak on Wooing Plays. Important, as it dissects the plays, creating the terminology to define the various parts of the action and the different characters. Recommended as the first book for a newcomer to Mumming. Chambers discussed folk plays in his two-volume work The Mediaeval Stage, (Clarendon, 1903) The later book repudiates this, but his earlier work seems more in accord with modern ideas

GAILEY, A. Irish Folk Drama. (Mercier Press, Cork 1969) 104pp. pbk.
Comprehensive; cites associated dramatic customs. Five texts.

HAYWARD, Brian. Galoshins: The Scottish Folk Play. (Edinburgh UP. 1992) [ISBN 07486 0338 7] 311pp. I, A Socio-Cultural History; II, Commentary on the Performance. 45 texts. (Includes all known Scottish textual references except any recently acquired by the School of Scottish Studies)

HELM, A. The English Mummers' Play. (Folklore Soc, 1980) [ISBN 0 85991 067 9] A4. 124pp. The ideas seems a bit archaic, but must be viewed as the last (posthumous) work of an indefatigable collector, & prolific writer & lecturer. 18 texts.

TIDDY, R J E. The Mummers' Play. (Clarendon 1923 / Paul Minet 1972) [SBN 85609 014 x] 257pp. Thirty-one texts & five discussive chapters based on lectures. The first specialised book, but posthumous so completeness of the ideas is uncertain.

Also important are:

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CORRSIN, Stephen D. #? Sword Dancing in Europe: A History. (Hisarlik Press. 1997) [ISBN 1 874312 25 7] 290pp.

GLASSIE, H. All Silver & No Brass. (Indiana UP, 1975) [ISBN 0-253-30470-9] 221pp. The Author visited over several years, studying a rural district on the Ulster border. He looked not at the plays but at the players & how they & their community benefited from the performances. This is a more sociological approach, but is still valid & interesting.

HALPERT, H. & G M STORY, (eds) Christmas Mumming in Newfoundland - Essays in Anthropology, Folklore & History. (U. of Toronto Press, 1960/1990) [SBN 8020 3200 1. pbk/ISBN 0-8020-6767-0]] 258pp.

Early patterns of English traditions have sometimes been preserved in former colonial areas (cf 'Appalachian' ballads) & although "Mumming" here mostly means Christmas visiting in disguise, this excellent book gives insight into the feelings & beliefs of Mummers in an earlier age. 3 texts.

TILLIS, Steve. # Rethinking Folk Drama. Contributions in Drama & Theatre Studies, no.83. (Greenwood Press. 1999) [ISSN 0163-3821. ISBN 0-313-30753-9] 252pp. Summarises & points deficiencies in the definitions made by each of many earlier writers, before proposing his own.

Other authoritative works are:

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ALLSOP, Ivor. # Longsword Dances from Traditional & Manuscript Sources. ed. Anthony G Barrand. (Northern Harmony Publishing Co. 1996) [ISBN 0 96277554 7 8] A4 landscape. 368pp. Dances mostly. Text of Revesby.

CAWTE, E C. Ritual Animal Disguise. (FLS, 1978) [ISBN 0 85991 028 8] 303pp. With a 'Geographic Index'. A definitive work which includes the Ram & the Horse in plays.

SHARP, Cecil J. Sword Dances of Northern England. (Novello. 3.vols, 1911-13 / E P Publishing, 1 vol, 1977) [ISBN 0 7158 1211 4] 112+43+115pp. Has dance notations, also play fragments, calling-on songs & text of Ampleforth.

Mention should be made, I suppose, of:

ALFORD, Violet. Sword Dance & Drama. (Merlin, 1962) 222pp.
Postulates that the dance is associated only with mining sites.

Most books can be obtained through the Library Service. This usually works on several levels. Requesting a book may produce the reply that it is "not available", but this often means locally. Persistence will generate increasingly wide enquiries which will usually be successful in the end.

BOOKLETS ON THE SUBJECT.

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- A5-ish unless shown otherwise.

Not listed are some of the short, privately produced items which would now be very hard to find

BOYES, Georgina, Michael J PRESTON & Paul SMITH.- # Chapbooks & Traditional Drama, Part 2. Christmas Rhyme Books
(NATCECT Bibliographical & Special Series no.3. University of Sheffield, 1999) [ISSN 1466 7347] 4 texts. A4, 46pp. Irish & Ulster plays.

BROWN, David. In Comes I: An English Mummers' Play. (Cotswold Music Ltd, Tewkesbury, 1988..) [ISBN 1 870635 02 7] A4. 18pp. Aimed at Junior schools. Two pages of background, a topically-modified, collated text & how to make easy "to part" costumes. Score & band parts (Recorders etc.) for the Mummers' March.

CASS, Eddie. # The Pace-Egg Play - Traditional Drama in the Lancashire Cotton Towns. (Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society) 1998. 25pp. Offprint from the Society's Transactions, 94. A scholarly study.

CASS, Eddie, Michael J PRESTON & Paul SMITH. # The English Mumming Play: An Introductory Bibliography. (FLS Books Bibliographies no.2. 2000) [ISBN 0 903515210] 40pp.

CAWTE, E C. In Come I - An Introductory Leaflet to the Mummers' Play. (EFDSS, 1972) This is a 'library leaflet' for the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library. Sample text, list of references available in the VWML. 20pp

CORRSIN, Stephen D. Sword Dancing in Britain: An Annotated Bibliography. Vaughan Williams Memorial Library Leaflet; no.21. (EFDSS 1993) [ISBN 0 85418 163 6] This is NOT a comprehensive list & concentrates on those references available at the VWL. 34pp.

COVEY, Winton. Sandy & Holly: A Mummers' Play for Christmas. (Concord College, Athens, W. Va. USA. 1992/95) A4. Written text only. 23pp.

DOEL, Geoff & Fran. # Mumming, Howling & Hoodening: Midwinter Rituals in Sussex, Kent & Surrey. (Meresborough Books, Kent. 1992) [ISBN 0948193 743] Texts from Compton, Sussex; Dover; & Hindhead, Surrey. 64pp.

DRAKE, Jon. The Fool & the Hobby-Horse; Their Role In Ritual Drama of Britain. (Author, nd) Propounds a pagan Celtic origin. 52pp.

GAILEY, Alan. Christmas Mummers & Rhymers in Ireland. (Guizer, 1968)
Fine appraisal, much information, two plates, six texts. 44pp

GITTINS, Martin. "We Beg Your Leave…" An Account of The Middleton Pace Egg Play and Other Customs of Eastertide. (Xerox. The Author) 1984. Text 48pp.

HARWOOD, H W, & F H MARSDEN. The Pace Egg - The Midgley Version.
(The Authors, 1935 / David Bland, Halifax, 1977) History & Text. 24pp.

HELM, Alex. Cheshire Folk Drama. (Guizer, 1968)
Notes, discussion, list of plays, two plates, five texts. 58pp.

- The Chapbook Mummers' Plays. (Guizer, 1969).
Detailed consideration, analysis, lists of plays, two texts. 54pp

- Eight Mummers' Plays. (Ginn & Co. 1971) [ISBN 0 602 21770 9]
Lucid introductions & notes. Eight colour plates of costumes. 72pp.

- The English Folk Play. (Manchester District of the EFDSS) Vol 1 has two parts- 'A General Survey' & 'List of Sources' 41pp. Vol 2 is texts.

- Five Mumming Plays for Schools. (EFDSS / FDS, 1965)
Brief notes & four plates of costumes. 45pp.

- Staffordshire Folk Drama. (Guizer, 1984) [ISBN 0 902065 08 4] 15 texts. 72pp.

HELM, Alex & E C CAWTE. Six Mummers' Acts. (Guizer Press, Ibstock, Leics, 1967) Notes, two plates, some sketches of costume. 48pp.

LEACH, Robert I, vol.1 The World of the Folk Play. Vol.2. Folk Playtexts (x7)
(Harrap's Theatre Workshop, 1978) [ISBN 0 245 53207 2/3] 4to. Aimed at schools. Fair, but weak on Sword Plays as it ignores the need for a competent dance team. Less than practical on animal figures. 32+ 32pp.

MILLINGTON, Peter T. An Interim Checklist of Nottingham Folk Plays & Related Customs. (Traditional Drama Research Group 1980/84) [ISBN 0 9508152 1 7] 42pp.

PETTITT, Thomas. Ritual & Vaudeville: The Dramaturgy of the English Folk Plays. Pre-publications of the English Institute of Ödense U, no.19. Oct 1981) 15pp.

- New World Traditions in the Study of Early English Custom & Customary Drama. (Ödense American Studies International Series. Working paper no.23. Aug 1996) [ISSN 0908 2271] 19pp.

PRESTON, M Michael J, M Georgina SMITH & Paul S SMITH. An Interim Checklist of Chapbooks Containing Play Texts.
(History of the Book Trade in the North, Newcastle, 1976) A4, 52pp.
Essential tool for the study of the chapbooks.

- Chapbooks & Traditional Drama, Part 1. Alexander & the King of Egypt. (CECTAL Bibliographical & Special Series no.2. University of Sheffield. 1977) [ISSN 0309 9229] 3 texts. A4, 38pp. Scholarly.

- Morris Dancers at Revesby. (CECTAL. U of Sheffield, 1976)
Copy of original play ms. A4, 36pp.

PRESTON, Michael J. & Paul S SMITH. # "A petygree of the Plouboys oR modes Dancers songs". 'The Morris Dance at Revesby: A Facsimile of the 1779 Manuscript in the Lincolnshire Archives. NATCECT Facsimiles no.2 (National Centre for English Cultural Tradition) [ISSN 1466 6928] 1999. A4. 53pp. With introduction & commentary.

ROUD, Stephen. Mumming Plays in Oxfordshire: An Interim Checklist. (Traditional Drama Research Group, 1984) Map, comprehensive list & two sample texts. 40pp.

ROUD, Stephen, & Malcolm BEE. Berkshire Mumming Plays: A Geographical Guide to Sources. (Folklore Soc. Library Publications no.7. 1991) [ISBN 1 871903 25 4] Gives the text of many of the references. Map, three play texts. 75pp.

ROUD, Stephen, & Paul Marsh. Mumming Plays in Hampshire. (The Author. 7^th edn. June 1960) A4. Geographic listing & map. 36pp.

SEYMOUR, Alan J. Pace-Egging in Bury & Beyond. (The Author, on behalf of Bury Pace-Eggers) 1994. [ISBN 0 9523336 0 0]

SHUTTLEWORTH, Ron K.Introducing the Folk Plays of England. (The Author, 1984) [ISBN 0 9510140 0 5]
Very basic answers to the question "What's it all about". 18pp.

- # So You Want to Start Mumming: Options Pitfalls, Suggestions. (The Author, 1984/1994) [ISBN 0 9510140 1 3] 26pp. Cannot be praised too highly & should be bought by all. Packed with information, dispensed with wit & style, it would be excellent value at twice the price. By the author of this booklist

SMITH, Paul & Georgina. Christmas Greetings. Centre for English Cultural Tradition & Language, U of Sheffield. 2^nd edn. 1976) 22pp.

SMITH, G, P S SMITH & J D A WIDDOWSON. Traditional Drama. S.L.F. Research Guide no.1. (Survey of Language & Folklore / The Archives of Cultural Tradition, Dept. of English Language, U of Sheffield. 1872) 8pp.

SMITH, Paul S & John D A WIDDOWSON. (eds) TRADITIONAL DRAMA STUDIES, (CECTAL/NATCECT & Traditional Drama Research Group) Academic but important

2. 1988. Papers read at the Traditional Drama Conferences 1978/79/81. [ISSN 0268-5752. ISBN 0 907426 02 6] 68pp.

3. 1994. [ISBN 0268-5752] 60pp.

4. 1996. [ISBN 0268-5752] 75pp.

SPRATLEY, Phillip. Mid-East Mumming. (EFDSS, 1977)
Three Wooing-Play texts & "Poor Old 'Oss". 28pp.

ROOMER. The Newsletter of the Traditional Drama Research Group.
[TDRG] 1980-1990. Important material, much of it contributed by academics.

Back-numbers from Eddie Cass, 548 Wilbraham Road, Chorlton, Manchester, M21 9LB. ( 016 1881 8640. < Eddie.Cass@btinternet.com >

Many of the above have lists of references & further reading.

Much of this material can be found at one or more of the following.

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National Centre for English Cultural Tradition (NATCECT) [Formerly 'Centre for English Cultural Tradition & Language' [CECTAL] University of Sheffield. 9 Shearwood Rd, Sheffield, S10 2TD. ( 0114 222 6296. Their Archivist is Robin Wiltshire, ( 0114 222 0195 r.h.wiltshire@sheffield.ac.uk The Library open to the external researchers by appointment made at least one week ahead. Their important collections include those of David Bathe, & of Alex Helm on m/f.

Folklore Soc. [FLS] The Warburg Institute, Woburn Square, London WC1H 0AB. ( 020 7862 8562, Fax 020 7862 8565, folklore.society@talk21.com

The access details for their important Library is too complex to explain here, so contact them about it. At the time of going to press, the FLS is producing a series of computer-based Bibliographies and Indexes on disc, including one on Mumming and with a Gazetteer of texts in the pipeline. These are marketed through Vine House Distribution, Waldenbury, North Common, Chailey, East Sussex. BN8 4DR. ( O182 572 3398.

English Folk Dance & Song Soc. [EFDSS] 2, Regent's Park Rd. London, NW1 7AY Vaughan Williams Memorial Library. ( 020 7485 2206. www.efdss.org

They lend books to Members & charge others a small daily fee for access.

They hold runs of magazines & journals & many manuscript texts & have many important Collections including that of J M Carpenter (microfilm).

Some University libraries allow public access & house books on folklore

THE MORRIS RING. A national organisation for male Morris Dancers, Swordsmen & Mummers. Addresses for officers change, so enquire at the EFDSS.

They have an active & expanding Archive (see below)

TEXTS. For texts from a specific locality, first consult the Geographic Index, Galoshins, etc. Your Local Studies Centre or County Archive may have material. but many older archives store folk plays under the names of their villages, which can be tedious. You could approach the bodies listed above, who might help or tell you of some local specialist.

If you do find unpublished texts or information please document them fully for those who come after, ideally sending copies to the EFDSS & the Morris Ring. Put them into your local Archives - where any donation, even printed material, improves your standing with archivists who treat you much better as a contributor.

IN THE PIPE-LINE.

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Items believed to be 'forthcoming' [but don't hold your breath!]

An Interim Checklist of Chapbooks Containing Play Texts.
Expanded & updated 2^nd edition.

Chapbooks & Traditional Drama,

Part 3. The Peace Egg.

The Lancashire Pace-Egg Play by Eddie Cass (FLS Books) Prepared but waiting for funds.