A few facts about the plays

1376 - the year in which the existence of pageant waggons is first recorded in York

1568 - the year in which the plays were banned

1951 - the plays are once again staged, as part of the Festival of Britain

The solitary surviving manuscript of the York plays, dating from around 1463-77, is kept at the British Library

The York Mystery Cycle usually comprised some 48 pageants, illustrating the Christian history of the world from Creation to Last Judgement

Each play was sponsored and subsidised by one of the city's craft guilds

Traditionally, the Plays were played on the feast day of Corpus Christi, a movable feast occurring on the first Thursday after Trinity, between 23 May and 24 June

The word "mystery" means a "trade" or "craft" in medieval English. "Mystery" is also a religious truth or rite.

For more detailed information on the plays and their historical and literary significance, see the articles on our associated website for the 2002 production.