The Cappers Play - The Woman taken in Adultery
and the Raising of Lazarus

The Company of Cordwainers present The Woman taken in Adultery and the Raising of Lazarus

As Jesus commences his ministry, he challenges all those around him to respond to his teaching. As a woman is brought before him for judgement, he turns the situation around, forcing those who condemn to look first within themselves.

"The annual Corpus Christi plays offered the most famous and elaborate dramatic spectacle which any city in late medieval England had to offer."

Barrie Dobson, Hon Professor, University of York
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The Woman taken in Adultery and the Raising of Lazarus, presented by The Company of Cordwainers

Forgiving the woman her sins, Jesus leads his disciples to the tomb of his dear friend Lazarus. Demonstrating his ultimate power over death, Jesus completes the challenge he has set to those around him - how to respond to this man who claims to be God.

"Forsomuch as the cordweners in the procession of the morrowe after Corpus Christi day were rebell and disobeaunt in that according to the proclomacon maid in bering the torchiez, and wold not bere thame . . .

York Civic Records, Volume 2

The Company of Cordwainers

Cordwainers were originally workers in fine leather of which the principal medieval source was Cordova in Spain. The earliest reference to the trade in York comes from the city's Freeman's Roll of 1272. In the fifteenth century the Cordwainers of York were variously described as an Occupation, Craft or Mysterie. References to an incorporated Company first appear towards the end of the 16th century. For reasons unknown the Company ceased to function in 1808 but was re-formed in 1977 by a group of people connected with the leather and shoe trades. Its objectives include promoting the British footwear industry; joining with other companies in the civic life of York; and supporting charities in the City of York and in the leather industry.

The Cordwainers' long connection with the Mystery Plays was not always smooth. In the fifteenth century Company members were frequently involved in brawls with the Weavers' Guild over the order of precedence for the bearing of torches in the Corpus Christi procession associated with the Plays.


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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	The Cappers Play - The Woman taken in Adultery and the Raising of Lazarus
		As Jesus commences his ministry, he challenges all those around him to respond to his teaching. As a woman is brought before him for judgement, he turns the situation around, forcing those who condemn to look first within themselves.	"The annual Corpus Christi plays offered the most famous and elaborate dramatic spectacle which any city in late medieval England had to offer." Barrie Dobson, Hon Professor, University of York Read more View a larger image of this scene
		Forgiving the woman her sins, Jesus leads his disciples to the tomb of his dear friend Lazarus. Demonstrating his ultimate power over death, Jesus completes the challenge he has set to those around him - how to respond to this man who claims to be God.
"Forsomuch as the cordweners in the procession of the morrowe after Corpus Christi day were rebell and disobeaunt in that according to the proclomacon maid in bering the torchiez, and wold not bere thame . . . York Civic Records, Volume 2	The Company of Cordwainers Cordwainers were originally workers in fine leather of which the principal medieval source was Cordova in Spain. The earliest reference to the trade in York comes from the city's Freeman's Roll of 1272. In the fifteenth century the Cordwainers of York were variously described as an Occupation, Craft or Mysterie. References to an incorporated Company first appear towards the end of the 16th century. For reasons unknown the Company ceased to function in 1808 but was re-formed in 1977 by a group of people connected with the leather and shoe trades. Its objectives include promoting the British footwear industry; joining with other companies in the civic life of York; and supporting charities in the City of York and in the leather industry. The Cordwainers' long connection with the Mystery Plays was not always smooth. In the fifteenth century Company members were frequently involved in brawls with the Weavers' Guild over the order of precedence for the bearing of torches in the Corpus Christi procession associated with the Plays.

The Cappers Play - The Woman taken in Adultery and the Raising of Lazarus

The Company of Cordwainers

The Cappers Play - The Woman taken in Adultery
and the Raising of Lazarus