British Library Kent: Diocese of Canterbury (Records of Early English Drama)

The aim of the 'Records of Early English Drama' series is to make available historical transcripts of early English drama, music, ceremonial, dance and other forms of communal public entertainment in Britain from the Middle Ages to 1642, when the Puritans closed theatres and prohibited dramatic and musical performances. 'Kent: Diocese of Canterbury' includes primary sources concerning dramatic and musical performances in the county of Kent from the Middle Ages until the time of Oliver Cromwell. It contains introductory material situating the primary sources in context, as well as the primary sources themselves. There is an extensive chapter on the historical background of the county, which explains why certain forms of entertainment existed locally and descriptions of various customs throughout the calendar year, such as Maypole dancing, Midsummer watches and wakes, and the Twelve Days of Christmas. The bulk of the records relate to civic and church account books, but there are also records from religious houses and private households. There is an extensive list of patrons and travelling companies and comprehensive glossaries and indexes.