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The Creation of the Angels and the Fall of Lucifer

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A modern-spelling script, used for our weekly read-throughs, can be downloaded by clicking here.

 The first play from the York Corpus Christi Plays deals with the creation of the heavens and the angels, and the rebellion and fall of Lucifer. Although the events are apocryphal, they draw on Genesis Chapter 1, and from brief mentions of Lucifer such as Luke 10:18 .

The Barkers (or Tanners) were based around Tanners Row in York. The nearby Parish Church of All Saints North Street includes stained glass depicting the Nine Orders of Angels (right)- the Tenth Order were those who fell with Lucifer. The tanning process required a large quantity of urine and dung, perhaps prompting their association with the fallen angels- "fallen in filth that evermore shall fade them."

The original script, in 15th Century Middle English, can be found here, courtesy of Prof. Clifford Davidson and the University of Rochester's TEAMS Middle English Text Series.

A shortened, modernised and edited version of the script can be downloaded by clicking here (PDF).

Watch an adaptation by Tom Straszewski:
Picture of stained glass. Nine panels, each showing a group of angels.
The Nine Orders of Angels, All Saint's North Street
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