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APPENDIX A
PAGEANT OF DUNHAM.
GROUP OF CHARACTERS IN PAGEANT PLAY "THE GIVING OF DUNHAM'S CHARTER" Photo taken in the Vicarage garden
"Written by Rev. Howard Chadwick and Mrs. Chadwick and Performed by Day School scholars at a Pageant held in the grounds of Rampton Manor, the seat of Sir Charles Ellis, July 19th 1912.
Presentation of the King's Charter for holding a weekly market in Dunham-on-Trent by Mary, Countess of Pembroke, lady of the Manor, to the Mayor and Burgesses, in the reign of Edward III., 1330.
CHARACTERS IN PLAY.
Countess oF Pembroke
Two Ladies in Attendance
Page
Mayor of Dunham—John de Dunham
Two Burgesses
Jester
Herald
Two Men-at-Arms
Villagers
Two Girls Carrying Baskets of Flowers
SCENE.
The market cross on village green.
At one side a great chair of state and footstool.
Groups of Villagers advance briskly to opposite side.
Enter Jester, holding girls by the hand. They come across jumping, capering and singing. As they reach the cross he chucks each under the chin.
Jester (shaking his bauble): "Truly, good friends, 'tis a great day for Dunham. Come apace, good gossips." (Beckoning with his arm): "Come, speed thee, speed thee." (Waves to those at a distance).
First Villager: "Alack, good Master Jester, and doth our noble lady come today?"
Jester: "Aye, by my bells, Master Ploughtail. In state with Mayor and Burghers to read the Charter of our lord the King, at your town cross; hear ye not the swinging bells giving tongue from yonder great church tower?" (points with his hand). "Come, my merry villagers, dance, dance, foot it merrily".
They dance "Oranges and Lemons."
A fanfare on the trumpet is suddenly heard.
They all stop while the Jester runs with fantastic step to meet the procession of the Countess.
The Villagers form in two lines, bowing and curtsying.
Enter the Countess, Ladies, Page, Mayor, etc. They advance in stately fashion, preceded by the Herald.
Countess seats herself on chair, Ladies standing behind her, Jester sits cross-legged at her feet.
Mayor and Burgesses stand at side of cross; Men-at-Arms behind.
Countess: "Hither, good Master Mayor, and you, the Burgesses, of this, our loyal town."
They advance and kneel before her.
Countess: "I pray you hear my will and pleasure, Mary of Pembroke, your lady of the manor. This day our sovereign lord, King Edward, Third, of glorious fame, by me, his humble vassal, doth of his grace, grant unto you and unto those that follow after you, forever, the right to hold, on every Tuesday in the year, an open market in your town. For the better understanding of which matter, I herewith bid you call for silence, Master Mayor, that the Charter may be read."
Mayor and Burgesses rise. Jester (to the people): "I pray you peace, good clowns."
Countess: "Silence, fool." (To Mayor): "Bid the Herald make proclamation."
Mayor (to Herald): '' Sir, the Countess gives command.''
Herald sounds another fanfare and cries with a loud voice: '' Oyez! oyez! be it known to all here assembled, that it is the pleasure of our noble and exalted Lady Mary, Countess of Pembroke, that ye do hear and mark the reading whereunto you worthy mayor, Sir John de Dunham, now makes his true obedience.''
Villagers shout in approbation.
Jester: "Peace, good brother fools! peace! 'tis but a motley fool that shouts ere he hath learnt the wisdom of his shout."
Mayor kneels before the Countess.
Mayor : '' May it please you, Madam, to deliver the writing into our hands."
Countess rises and gives him the document. He kisses her hand and rises, stands in front of the cross and reads Charter. They all stand.
Mayor: "To the Justices in eyre in the county of Nottingham, order to permit Mary, late wife of Aymer de Valence, Earl of Pembroke, to hold a market on Tuesday in every week at Dunham-on-Trent, which is twenty leuee distant from our good town of Nottingham. Given at our Palace of Westminster, Feb 22, 1330."
Mayor: "Good people, shout for the King's Grace and for our noble lady."
Villagers shout "Long live the King, long live the noble countess."
Jester (holding his toes): "A mighty merry market for a merry mighty cheese. Is it not so, Madama?"
Countess: "Peace, fool, thy jesting grows too strong of savour for my liking."
Jester: "Not so strong as the cheese, Madama." Countess: "And not so easily digested." (To Villagers): "Good friends, make holiday, and if ye have a mind follow onward to the Manor, where ye shall find enough of all good cheer to keep you merry.'' (To Mayor): '' Sir Mayor, lead back! this day shall live in memory for generations yet to come! God rest you, friends." (She inclines her head in farewell, stops and pats a child on the head.)
Old Man: "God bless your noble ladyship."
Countess, Ladies, Jester and Page, Herald preceding her and Girls strewing flowers before her, leave the stage followed by Mayor and Burgesses, Men-at-Arms and "Villagers, the latter dancing and singing "Jog on, jog on, the footpath way." (Autolycus song in Winter's Tale, act 4, scene 2, to the tune given in the "Dancing Master," date 1650.)