The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #49704 Message #751791
Posted By: Dicho (Frank Staplin)
20-Jul-02 - 07:59 PM
Thread Name: What's a Mummers Play?
Subject: RE: BS: What's a Mummers Play?
Mummery was well-known in the Middle Ages. It came into disrepute in the 16th century and Henry VIII issued a proclamation prohibiting the wearing of masks, etc. because mumming had led to outrages.
The Encyc. Britannica puts in an "it is said" comment that "Mumming seems to have been a survival of the Roman custom of masquerading during the annual orgies of the Saturnalia."