"This most recent production is a celebration of the various traditions and interests, the people, the community, the past and present of the York Mystery Plays. "

Mike Tyler, Artistic Director of the 2002 Waggon Plays
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The Cutlers Play - The Conspiracy against Jesus

The Gild of Freemen present The Conspiracy against Jesus

The vain Pilate is confronted by an outraged group of temple officials, demanding action against the blasphemous Jesus. The devious Annas and Caiaphas exploit Pilate's fears and vanities, finally presenting Jesus as a common criminal and a threat to order.

Judas, ready to sell Jesus to the authorities for personal gain, is brought before the assembly. A price is agreed for the ultimate act of betrayal, and Judas sets out with a company of soldiers.

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The Gild of Freemen - The Conspiracy against Jesus, performed in summer 2002

The Gild of Freemen of the City of York

In England the words "Freemen" and "Gild" (the centuries' old spelling) have their greatest meaning when used in their medieval context. It is from this period that the York Freemen's Rolls date - 1272.

The first Royal Charter, negotiated by the Freemen of York, was given to the city some time between 1155 and 1162. At this time the Freemen were the only people allowed to trade in the city; a man had to be a Freeman before he could join one of the Craft Guilds.

Freemen administered both civil and criminal justice, kept the Guilds in order, supervised the training of apprentices and the quality of goods. They kept the streets clean, maintained the City Walls, roads and bridges, built schools and provided troops for the King. The Freemen governed the City for centuries until in 1835, with the Municipal Corporations Act, control passed into the hands of the Town Council.

Today the Gild of Freemen continues to take an active role in the affairs of the City. Today the principal route of admission to the Freedom is Patrimony (ie birthright). In 1984 the Gild took over the recently restored Common Hall of the Vicars' Choral in Bedern, York, and it is from this base that the Gild will continue to be involved in, and to care for, the City of York.


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The Creation of the World Noah and the Flood Moses and Pharaoh The Angels and Shepherds The Baptism of Christ The Woman taken in Adultery and The Raising of Lazarus The Conspiracy against Jesus The Death of Christ The Incredulity of Thomas The Last Judgement "This most recent production is a celebration of the various traditions and interests, the people, the community, the past and present of the York Mystery Plays. " Mike Tyler, Artistic Director of the 2002 Waggon Plays Read more	The Cutlers Play - The Conspiracy against Jesus
		The vain Pilate is confronted by an outraged group of temple officials, demanding action against the blasphemous Jesus. The devious Annas and Caiaphas exploit Pilate's fears and vanities, finally presenting Jesus as a common criminal and a threat to order.
		Judas, ready to sell Jesus to the authorities for personal gain, is brought before the assembly. A price is agreed for the ultimate act of betrayal, and Judas sets out with a company of soldiers. View a larger image of this play
	The Gild of Freemen of the City of York In England the words "Freemen" and "Gild" (the centuries' old spelling) have their greatest meaning when used in their medieval context. It is from this period that the York Freemen's Rolls date - 1272. The first Royal Charter, negotiated by the Freemen of York, was given to the city some time between 1155 and 1162. At this time the Freemen were the only people allowed to trade in the city; a man had to be a Freeman before he could join one of the Craft Guilds. Freemen administered both civil and criminal justice, kept the Guilds in order, supervised the training of apprentices and the quality of goods. They kept the streets clean, maintained the City Walls, roads and bridges, built schools and provided troops for the King. The Freemen governed the City for centuries until in 1835, with the Municipal Corporations Act, control passed into the hands of the Town Council. Today the Gild of Freemen continues to take an active role in the affairs of the City. Today the principal route of admission to the Freedom is Patrimony (ie birthright). In 1984 the Gild took over the recently restored Common Hall of the Vicars' Choral in Bedern, York, and it is from this base that the Gild will continue to be involved in, and to care for, the City of York.