Elisa
Jeanalle Kim
999071123
ENG331H1S
Professor
Matthew Sergi
Tuesday
April 1, 2014
The Sword in 16th century drama
In
1976, the Records of Early English Drama, for short REED, was established. The
Records of Early English Drama had one mission, “to provide the scholarly world
with uniform, accurate and complete editions of all the surviving evidence of
drama, secular music and community celebrations in Great Britain.” (REED 1).
Over the years, these surviving records have provided information for students
and scholars about the history of this performance art. The information
provided can be anything from sports, to costumes and to props. The origin
information about these elements can help us understand the history and the
significance of early English drama to the modern age. One of these important
elements is props, weapons to be more specific. Since there are a variety
record of Early English Drama on different types of weapons, such as the dagger,
spear and even East Asian weaponry, we are focusing on the weapon that is of the
sword. The sword has a special and long history with an origin as early as the
Bronze Age and in Ancient Greek and East Asian history. These records about
swords do not just talk about it being a prop but its importance in ceremonies
and for certain nobles. To focus on these set of records, we look in the
records from Devon, Dorset/Cornwall, York and Lancashire. These set of records
from these areas have shown a significant amount of information about the sword
and the uses in the 16th century drama.
Devon is located in the southern
part of England. By the end of the 16th century, its military and
economy importance increased due to its posts on the coast. This leads to increased
weaponry being made and sold to nobles and the army of the British. Many of the
records show that these transactions are made in Mount Edgcumbe, and in
Dartmouth. In Mount Edgcumbe, it showed that it made use of the sword as a prop
in 1553-1558 by a company. Word came to Mount Edgcumbe that a company of armed
men came from Plymouth. This company in the records had no specific title. This
company was mistrusted by Sir Richard so in result made restrictions on many of
their practices such as the use of their props. The armory and weapons used in
their plays were not be the same as if it were used in combat. Instead the
swords and other weapons were to be painted on paper, and because they are made
of paper, they had to limit their force that they use to perform their blows.
In Dartmouth, many accounts call for the transaction of the sword for St.
George. St George is referred to as Henry St. George who was an English officer
of arms and the son of the herald Richard St George. It is intriguing why his
name was to appear in this transaction but he was important in these records of
early English drama because of his status. This transaction was a payment
towards him for his work administering the company of the Churchwardens. The
sword was used as a payment for the work that he has done in the time period of
1530-1552 which cost 6 pence. The sword was not used a lot in drama but as
payment for different play companies.
Just south west of England is the
areas of Dorset and Cornwall. The Records of Early English Drama recorded into
both of these together because of the traditions that occurred in both of these
cities. There was a custom that started in 1527 in Cornwall that happen to
involve a sword. This sword was used as a ceremonial device. This tradition
occurred on St. George day and is called Lostwithiel’s riding. This was
sponsored by a religious guild of St. George at the Saint Bartholomew Church.
The Saint George mentioned is the Christian martyr and not the St. George that
was mentioned in Devon. During this ceremony, a member is chosen within a guild
to represent Saint George to lead the procession through the streets. The
person is to ride on a horse wearing a crown and carrying a specter and a
sword. This was a tradition that went on until 1602 for unknown circumstances.
The accounts note for in 1535-1536 about the cost of the scouring of the armory
and even the payment for the labour that played Saint George which cost 12
pence. It can be said that playing the part of Saint George is a huge privilege
and can only be given to those who show great faith in the church.
The area of York is located in the
northern part of England and had a significant change in the 16th
century. By the 16th century, the economy went into decline during
because of the Tudors. Under Henry VIII,
the end of York’s many monastic houses, large institutions and hospitals were
ordered, which was called the Dissolution of the Monasteries. This led the
uprising who went against the religious reform. This uprising was called the
Pilgrimage of Grace and it made the city of York into a city where it provided
trade and service In the York records, the account that provided with the
payment of the sword was from the Skinners’ Guild. The Skinners’ Guild used these swords as
stage props and not to be used by the players themselves. The swords that were
used by the players are to be painted paper. The swords that were used for the
stage were a bit expensive because of the declined economy. This payment of the
swords was done by trade and not by shillings or pence. This trade included
fruits, meats and clothing. The quality of these items were said to be on the
level of luxury. This can be said that the trades were the main way of doing of
transactions during the 16th century in York.
Overall,
these records can give you an insight of how much the swords meant for the
period of the Early English drama. The REED is a great read and can provide
other information that the readers might want to know. The sword was an
important part to English drama and REED provided enough information about the
use and history during this important time period.
Work Cited
Records of
Early English Drama. Records of Early
English Drama: Devon. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1986. Print.
Records of
Early English Drama. Records of Early
English Drama: Dorset/Cornwall. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1999.
Print.
Records of
Early English Drama. Records of Early
English Drama: Dorset/Cornwall. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1979.
Print.
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