Mystery plays (from the Latin "misterium" meaning "occupation") and miracle plays (they are distinguished as two different forms although the terms are often used interchangeably) are among the earliest formally developed plays in medievalEurope. Medieval mystery plays focused on the representation of Bible stories in churches as tableaux with accompanying antiphonal song. They told of subjects such as the Creation, Adam and Eve, the murder of Abel, and the last judgment. Oftentimes they were performed together in cycles which could last for days. The name derives from mystery used in its sense of miracle, but an occasionally quoted derivation is from ministerium, meaning craft, and so the 'mysteries' or plays performed by the craft guilds.
Origins
As early as the fifth century living tableaux were introduced into sacred services.
The plays originated as simple tropes, verbal embellishments of liturgical texts, and slowly became more elaborate. At an early period chants from the service of the day were added to the prose dialogue. As these liturgical dramas increased in popularity, vernacular forms emerged, as travelling companies of actors and theatrical productions organized by local communities became more common in the later Middle Ages.
. After Viking invasions and the Norman conquest of England a priory was reestablished. A small castle was built on the island in 1550.
Toponymy
The island of Lindisfarne appears under the Old Welsh name Medcaut in the 9th century Historia Brittonum. Following up on a suggestion by Richard Coates, Andrew Breeze proposes that the name ultimately derives from Latin Medicata [Insula] (English: Healing [Island]), owing perhaps to the island's reputation for medicinal herbs.
Both theParker ChronicleandPeterborough Chronicle annals of AD 793 record the Old English name, Lindisfarena. The soubriquet Holy Island was in use by the 11th century when it appears in Latin as Insula Sacra. The reference was to saints Aidan and Cuthbert.
Lindisfarne are an English folk rock and progressive rock band from Newcastle upon Tyne established in 1968 (originally called Brethren). The original line-up comprised Alan Hull (vocals, guitar, piano), Ray Jackson (vocals, mandolin, harmonica), Simon Cowe (guitar, mandolin, banjo, keyboards), Rod Clements (bass guitar, violin) and Ray Laidlaw (drums).
They are best known for the albums Nicely Out of Tune (1970), Fog on the Tyne (1971) which became the biggest selling UK album in 1972, Dingly Dell (1972) and Back and Fourth (1978), and also for the success of songs such as "Meet Me on the Corner", "Lady Eleanor", "Run For Home" and "We Can Swing Together".
Early days
The group began as 'The Downtown Faction', led by Rod Clements, but soon changed their name to Brethren. In 1968, they were joined by Alan Hull and became Lindisfarne, the name of an island off the coast of Northumberland.
Charisma Records
In 1970 Tony Stratton-Smith signed them to Charisma Records and their debut album Nicely Out of Tune was released that year. This album defined their mixture of bright harmony and up tempo folk rock. Neither single released from the album, "Clear White Light" nor "Lady Eleanor", charted; nor did the album itself at first. However the band obtained a strong following from its popular live concerts and built up a following as one of the top festival bands.
Lindisfarne Live on 'Revolver' with Peter Cook c.1978. Note the mystery bass player....!
http://www.lindisfarne.co.uk
published: 07 Aug 2006
Simon Todd & Central Station - 'A Mystery Play' - (live)
Simon Todd & Central Station perform Alan Hull's Mystery Play at Heroes and Scarecrows, the Magnesia Bank, North Shields, November 2010.
Simon Todd (keyboards, vocal), Mark Anderson (guitar), Gemma Anderson (bass), Rachael Bailey (violin), Dave O'Hara (drums).
www.simontodd.co.uk.
Video by Helen Atkinson.
Not the greatest sound recording but still worth posting.
published: 22 Nov 2010
Time Team S08-E03 Llygadwy, Wales
In a secluded valley in Wales, what may be a medieval or even Roman trackway leads down to a natural spring.
Right in the middle of it is a megalith, a large standing stone, perhaps 3000 years older than the track. Nearby, there are the remains of what appears to be a Neolithic tomb, and overlooking it what is reputed locally to be a Norman - or maybe Roman - watchtower.
Stones in a ruined building on the site have early Christian symbols inscribed on them, leading to speculation that it may have been an early chapel. And in and around the spring itself the landowner has found hundreds of Roman coins, medieval jewellery, blades, buckles, statuettes and a strange collection of weirdly carved stone heads.
Time Team set out to uncover the story behind this strange collection of archaeologi...
published: 16 Apr 2013
Winter Song by Lindisfarne - Tom Thorne Acoustic Cover
My cover of a beautiful song by legendary songwriter of the North Alan Hull
Simon Todd & Central Station perform Alan Hull's Mystery Play at Heroes and Scarecrows, the Magnesia Bank, North Shields, November 2010.
Simon Todd (keyboards,...
Simon Todd & Central Station perform Alan Hull's Mystery Play at Heroes and Scarecrows, the Magnesia Bank, North Shields, November 2010.
Simon Todd (keyboards, vocal), Mark Anderson (guitar), Gemma Anderson (bass), Rachael Bailey (violin), Dave O'Hara (drums).
www.simontodd.co.uk.
Video by Helen Atkinson.
Not the greatest sound recording but still worth posting.
Simon Todd & Central Station perform Alan Hull's Mystery Play at Heroes and Scarecrows, the Magnesia Bank, North Shields, November 2010.
Simon Todd (keyboards, vocal), Mark Anderson (guitar), Gemma Anderson (bass), Rachael Bailey (violin), Dave O'Hara (drums).
www.simontodd.co.uk.
Video by Helen Atkinson.
Not the greatest sound recording but still worth posting.
In a secluded valley in Wales, what may be a medieval or even Roman trackway leads down to a natural spring.
Right in the middle of it is a megalith, a large s...
In a secluded valley in Wales, what may be a medieval or even Roman trackway leads down to a natural spring.
Right in the middle of it is a megalith, a large standing stone, perhaps 3000 years older than the track. Nearby, there are the remains of what appears to be a Neolithic tomb, and overlooking it what is reputed locally to be a Norman - or maybe Roman - watchtower.
Stones in a ruined building on the site have early Christian symbols inscribed on them, leading to speculation that it may have been an early chapel. And in and around the spring itself the landowner has found hundreds of Roman coins, medieval jewellery, blades, buckles, statuettes and a strange collection of weirdly carved stone heads.
Time Team set out to uncover the story behind this strange collection of archaeological features and finds.
In a secluded valley in Wales, what may be a medieval or even Roman trackway leads down to a natural spring.
Right in the middle of it is a megalith, a large standing stone, perhaps 3000 years older than the track. Nearby, there are the remains of what appears to be a Neolithic tomb, and overlooking it what is reputed locally to be a Norman - or maybe Roman - watchtower.
Stones in a ruined building on the site have early Christian symbols inscribed on them, leading to speculation that it may have been an early chapel. And in and around the spring itself the landowner has found hundreds of Roman coins, medieval jewellery, blades, buckles, statuettes and a strange collection of weirdly carved stone heads.
Time Team set out to uncover the story behind this strange collection of archaeological features and finds.
Simon Todd & Central Station perform Alan Hull's Mystery Play at Heroes and Scarecrows, the Magnesia Bank, North Shields, November 2010.
Simon Todd (keyboards, vocal), Mark Anderson (guitar), Gemma Anderson (bass), Rachael Bailey (violin), Dave O'Hara (drums).
www.simontodd.co.uk.
Video by Helen Atkinson.
Not the greatest sound recording but still worth posting.
In a secluded valley in Wales, what may be a medieval or even Roman trackway leads down to a natural spring.
Right in the middle of it is a megalith, a large standing stone, perhaps 3000 years older than the track. Nearby, there are the remains of what appears to be a Neolithic tomb, and overlooking it what is reputed locally to be a Norman - or maybe Roman - watchtower.
Stones in a ruined building on the site have early Christian symbols inscribed on them, leading to speculation that it may have been an early chapel. And in and around the spring itself the landowner has found hundreds of Roman coins, medieval jewellery, blades, buckles, statuettes and a strange collection of weirdly carved stone heads.
Time Team set out to uncover the story behind this strange collection of archaeological features and finds.
Mystery plays (from the Latin "misterium" meaning "occupation") and miracle plays (they are distinguished as two different forms although the terms are often used interchangeably) are among the earliest formally developed plays in medievalEurope. Medieval mystery plays focused on the representation of Bible stories in churches as tableaux with accompanying antiphonal song. They told of subjects such as the Creation, Adam and Eve, the murder of Abel, and the last judgment. Oftentimes they were performed together in cycles which could last for days. The name derives from mystery used in its sense of miracle, but an occasionally quoted derivation is from ministerium, meaning craft, and so the 'mysteries' or plays performed by the craft guilds.
Origins
As early as the fifth century living tableaux were introduced into sacred services.
The plays originated as simple tropes, verbal embellishments of liturgical texts, and slowly became more elaborate. At an early period chants from the service of the day were added to the prose dialogue. As these liturgical dramas increased in popularity, vernacular forms emerged, as travelling companies of actors and theatrical productions organized by local communities became more common in the later Middle Ages.