[1970]. First edition, first printing. xx, 202pp, with black and white plate illustrations. In green cloth-covered boards with gilt lettering on the spine. 8vo. A couple of minor indentations on edges and gently pushed at spine ends. Internally neat, clean, bright and tight. In its original shelf worn dust wrapper, rubbed and chipped at edges and on joints, short closed tear from upper edge, price clipped.
The traditional folk drama of the English Mummers in which a figure dies and its resurrected has three basic actions - the hero-combat, the sword play and the wooing ceremony. Brody argues that these actions pre-date much of the spoken text and sees in them the remnants of ancient fertility rituals.
