Stories of Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire

Author: Alun Page 3 of 9

Thame Mummers Play

I am King Alfred, and this here is my Bride,
I’ve a crown on my pate and a sword by my side.
Stands apart.

The Newitt Thame Mummers Play

THE FIRST MAN: Break up break up, ye merry boys and girls And give me room to rise, For I have come to help you enjoy A merry Christmas time.

Will the real Thame mummer play stand up?

One of the most curious traditions in England must be the performance of the mummer’s play, usually performed at Christmas time by a group of men dressed in tatter coats and with blackened faces.

Going To School

The girls turn the rope, slowly at first, repeating the mysterious phrase: Pepper, salt, mustard, cider, vinegar.

Morris dancing

Evidence of morris dancing in Thame can be found in church records going back to 1555. There was generally morris dancing

Page 3 of 9

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén