Ordinalia

The Ordinalia are three Cornish mystery plays, generally believed to have been written in the late 14th or early 15th century. These plays, written in Middle Cornish with stage directions in Latin, are significant examples of medieval drama and provide valuable insight into Cornish language, culture, and religious beliefs of the time.

The trilogy comprises:

• Origo Mundi: This play tells the story of the world from Creation to the time of Noah, covering events from the Garden of Eden to the building of the Ark and the Great Flood.

• Passio Christi: This recounts the Passion of Christ, from the conspiracy against him to his Crucifixion and burial.

• Resurrexio Domini: This play covers the Resurrection of Christ, his appearances to his disciples, and the events up to the Ascension.

The plays are notable for their length, encompassing thousands of lines each, and for their elaborate stage directions, which suggest a complex and visually engaging theatrical experience. They are believed to have been performed outdoors, likely in a round amphitheater known as a plen-an-gwary or "playing place."

The authorship of the Ordinalia is unknown, but it is assumed that they were written by a cleric or someone with significant theological knowledge. The plays draw heavily on biblical narratives and apocryphal sources, reflecting the religious context of the era.

The Ordinalia is a key text for understanding the development of drama in Britain and is considered a national treasure by Cornish speakers and scholars. The manuscripts are preserved in the Bodleian Library at Oxford University. Their study continues to contribute to understanding Medieval Cornish literature, drama, and religious thought.