The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #49704   Message #753302
Posted By: greg stephens
23-Jul-02 - 05:21 PM
Thread Name: What's a Mummers Play?
Subject: RE: BS: What's a Mummers Play?
Basically, what I would like to hear from the Malcolm Douglas school of thought is some explanation of why and how a death-and-resurrection custom could spring from nowhere some time in the 18th century. And suddenly become incredibly widespread and deeply rooted. I'm not saying that couldn't have happened, but I think we need to hear the theory behind what seems to me a thoroughly unlikely hypothesis. Malcolm, you've read all the latest stuff and the rest of us obviously haven't. Give us a precis, if you've got a minute.