Abstract
Although the manuscript from which the ensuing Miracle–play is printed is not, perhaps, earlier than the reign of Henry VI., there is ground for believing, from the character of the speeches, and from the extreme simplicity of its construction, that, if not the oldest, it is one of the oldest dramas existing in our language. In this respect it may rival “The Harrowing of Hell,” the MS. of which (Harl. 2253) carries us back to the reign of Edward III.It is not now printed for the first time. It was discovered many years ago “amongst the Archives at Guildhall, York,” and was published by Mr. J. Croft, E.S.A. in his “Excerpta Antiqua,” which came out in 1797. Ancient records were not then read with so much facility as at present; the manuscript itself is in various places scarcely legible, and the then editor, without being at all to blame, committed serious errors which we have endeavoured to remedy. The valuable original is now the property of John Sykes, Esq. M.D. of Doncaster, who has kindly permitted the Camden Society to make use of it.
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