Discover the Mysteries

what are the mysteries?

York Mystery Plays are a set of 47 medieval plays based on the Christian mythos- from the Creation of the world to the Last Judgement. Originally performed by York's medieval craft guilds on waggons, they were resurrected in 1951 as part of the Festival of Britain- part of a celebration of the past and future of Britain's craft and technology. Since then, the Plays have been performed in a variety of ways- as epic theatre in the Museum Gardens or the Minster, as medieval pageantry in the streets, and on an intimate scale in churches and historic buildings.

The original craft guilds performed the plays for a variety of reasons, many of which are still true for modern participants:

as a declaration of faith
as an advert for their skills (their craft "mysteries")
as part in an ongoing heritage
as a bonding experience for their community

The modern productions are therefore a partnership of medieval traditions and modern innovations. The medieval carpenters, butchers and saddlers might not recognise some of our modern creations, but the instinct behind them would be familiar.

Many participants (such as Dame Judi Dench) have gone on to become professional theatre-makers. Still more have continued to take part in community theatre, or have taken their newfound skills back to their personal and professional lives. We hope that you too will join the thousands of people who have made the Mysteries.

Information on each play can be found below, with:

A link to both the medieval text, and a modern-spelling version for you to edit
Contextual information on the plays and guild

1. The Barkers (leather-tanners)- The Creation of the Angels and the Fall of Lucifer
Lucifer- brightest of angels- seizes power and is thrown down to Hell.
2. The Plasterers- The Creation through the Fifth Day
God creates the sky, sea, and land- and all the creatures and plants that dwell there.
3. The Cardmakers (wool-carding tools)- The Creation of Adam and Eve
God creates Adam and Eve to love and care for the world.
4. The Fullers (woollen cloth)- The Prohibition of the Tree of Knowledge
Adam and Eve are given the world to explore- except for the deadly fruit of Knowledge.
5. The Coopers (barrel-makers)- The Fall
An envious Lucifer tempts Eve with the Forbidden Fruit- and Eve convinces Adam in turn.
6. The Armourers- The Expulsion from the Garden
Adam and Eve are banished from Paradise, and punished with hard labour.
7. The Glovers- The Sacrifice of Cain and Abel
Refusing to sacrifice gladly, Cain instead murders his brother Abel.
8. The Shipwrights- The Building of Noah's Ark
Noah learns how to build a boat to survive the coming Flood.
9. The Fishers and Mariners- The Flood
Noah's family are trapped together for months on end, until the Flood ends.
10. The Parchmenters and Bookbinders- Abraham and Isaac
Abraham is told to sacrifice his son Isaac, and obeys.

A cardboard waggon, for The Prohibition of the Tree of Knowledge (2020)

York Mystery Plays Costume Workshop (2012)

The Expulsion of Adam and Eve (Museum Gardens, 1951)

11. The Hosiers- Pharaoh and Moses
Moses demands that Pharaoh releases his enslaved people- or suffer for his sins.
12. The Spicers- The Annunciation to Mary and the Visitation
Mary agrees to be the mother of Jesus- and visits her cousin Elizabeth to celebrate.
13. The Pewterers and Founders- Joseph's Trouble with Mary
An ancient Joseph struggles to accept his wife's suspicious pregnancy.
14. The Tile-thatchers- The Nativity
Far from home, and without support, Mary gives birth to Jesus in a burst of light.
15. The Chandlers (Candle-makers)- The Offering of the Shepherds
Shepherds are greeted by an angel, and told to visit Jesus (with homemade gifts)
16. The Masons and Goldsmiths- Herod and the Three Kings
The tyrannous Herod tricks three visitors into revealing the new-born threat to his rule.
17. The Hatmakers, Masons and Labourers- The Purification of the Virgin
The ancient Simeon warns Mary of the sorrows of her son's life and death.
18. The Marshalls (Horse grooms)- The Flight to Egypt
Mary, Joseph and Jesus flee the soldiers of Herod, who are intent on murdering Jesus.
19. The Girdlers and Nailers (Belt- and Nail-makers)- The Massacre of the Innocents
Herod's soldiers kill every boy under the age of two, but find their target has escaped.
20. The Spurriers and Lorimers (Spur- and bridle-makers)- Christ and the Doctors
A runaway Christ's grasp of religious law impresses the clergy- before his mum catches up.

21. The Barbers- The Baptism of Christ
Jesus meets his cousin John to be baptised, and begins his ministry.
22. The Smiths- The Temptation in the Wilderness
Lucifer tempts Jesus three times- with food, pride and the world.
22a. The Vintners (Wine-sellers)- The Marriage in Cana (nb. no text exists)
This missing script would have seen Jesus's first miracle, turning water into wine.
23. The Curriers (Leather-workers)- The Transfiguration
Jesus reveals his divine nature to his followers.
24. The Capmakers and Hatmakers- The Woman Taken in Adultery and the Raising of Lazarus
Jesus confronts an adulterer's tormenters with their own sins, then resurrects the dead.
25. The Skinners- The Entry into Jerusalem
Jesus arrives in Jerusalem, praised as the promised king- despite appearing on a donkey.
26. The Cutlers (Cutlery-makers)- The Conspiracy
Threatened by Jesus's teachings, his enemies plot his death- helped by his follower Judas.
27. The Bakers- The Last Supper
Jesus gathers his followers for the last time, and warns them of the sorrow to come.
28. The Cordwainers (Shoe-makers)- The Agony and Betrayal
In the garden of Gethesmane, Jesus is captured and dragged off to the authorities.
29. The Bowers and Fletchers (Bow- and Arrow-makers)- The Trial before Caiaphas and Annas
The priests have Jesus tried and beaten, whilst a scared Peter denies he ever knew him.
30. The Tapiters and Couchers (Tapestry- and Furniture-makers)- The First Trial before Pilate
Unable to legally kill Jesus, the priests petition Pilate, the Roman governor- whose wife, Procula, has her own warning. Hoping to avoid the blame, Pilate sends Jesus to his home town.

Set design, Museum Gardens 2012 (design by Sean Cavanagh)

Set design, York Minster Mysteries 2016 (designed by Max Jones and Ruth Hall)

31. The Listers (Dyers)- The Trial before Herod Antipas
Unimpressed by a lack of miracles, a bored young Herod sends Jesus back to Pilate.
32. The Cooks and Water-leaders- The Remorse of Judas
Judas desperately tries to buy Jesus back.
33. The Tile-makers- The Second Trial before Pilate
Confronted by a hostile mob, Pilate gives in, and sentences Jesus to death.
34. The Shearmen (Sheep-shearers)- The Road to Calvary
Jesus carries the cross up to the killing-ground, mourned by his mother and her companions. -
35. The Pinners and Painters- The Crucifixion of Christ
Four soldiers joke and moan as they carry out their work- nailing Christ to the cross.
36. The Butchers- The Death of Christ
Jesus's foes and followers witness his death.
37. The Saddlers- The Harrowing of Hell
Jesus descends to Hell, destroying Lucifer's power and freeing the imprisoned souls.
38. The Carpenters- The Resurrection
Jesus returns to life, and the guards on the tomb come up with an excuse for the missing body.
39. The Winedrawers- The Appearance of Christ to Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene searches for Jesus's missing body, before finding him there in the flesh.
40. The Woolpackers and Woolbrokers/ The Sledgemen- The Travellers to Emmaus
Two lonely hikers encounter Jesus on the road.

41. The Scriveners (Scribes/writers)- Doubting Thomas
Thomas refuses to believe Jesus has risen- unless he can see and touch his wounded body.
42. The Tailors- The Ascension
Jesus departs from his followers, and returns to Heaven.
43. The Potters- Pentecost
The Spirit of God descends on the followers, causing them to talk in tongues- or appear drunk.
44. The Drapers (Cloth-sellers)- The Death of Mary
The scattered followers gather to mourn for Mary.
44a. The Linen-weavers- The Funeral of the Virgin (nb. no text exists)
Under attack, the followers bury their foster-mother Mary. Cut in the 15th century for inspiring "more laughter than devotion."
45. The Weavers- The Assumption of the Virgin
Thomas encounters the spirit of Mary, but is accused of neglecting his grieving friends.
46. The Ostlers (Stable-men)- The Coronation of the Virgin
Mary is greeted to Heaven, and crowned as Queen.
47. The Merchants- Doomsday
The end of the world is nigh, and all are saved or damned according to their charity.

Find out more

Over the years, many organisations have supported the York Mystery Plays. Detailed information can be found at their websites:
York Mystery Plays Archives
York Festivals Trust (including the Waggon Plays)
York Mystery Plays Supporters Trust
Soundscapes of the York Mystery Plays
York Theatre Royal (Radio Production)