The _Three Kings_ seems founded on a Latin play, and the exceptional plays of the series (Nos. 23 and 24) can be traced in that fine old poem the _Cursor Mundi_. In _The Shepherd’s Play_ we certainly find the work of a local playwright, as references are made to a “jannock of Lancastershire,” butter from Blacon (a suburb of Chester), and ale from Halton. Other examples might be given. It seems probable that as the plays sprang from the Church, so the four great cycles now existing are derived from some greater and anterior cycle authorised by the Church. We find numerous references in the Chester Companies’ accounts to the original book of the play, which is generally called the “reginall.” This may in some cases refer merely to the special playbook belonging to the company, but it more often refers to the volume of the plays possessed by the City Corporation. If we still had this book we might settle many vexed questions. Unfortunately it is missing, for on April 30th, 1567, “Randall Trever gent was called before the Maior of the Citie of Chester and was demaunded for the originall booke of the Whydson Plaies of the said Citie who then and ther confessed that he have had the same booke which book he deposeth upon the holy evangelist of God that by commaundement he delivered againe but where the same is now or to whom he then delivered the same book, deposeth likewise he knoweth not.” In the year 1883, Mr. Sutton (the chief librarian of the Manchester Free Library) found an old parchment book-cover, with some writing upon it, which he submitted to Dr. F. J. Furnivall, who pronounced it to be a portion of a late fifteenth century MS. of the Chester Plays. It is the commencement of the play of the _Resurrection_, and it is very probable--being on parchment--that it is a remnant of the original Chester Play Book. We are therefore dependent upon certain transcriptions of the whole series of plays made at the end of the sixteenth century. When the plays were dying out, it is certain that some of the old citizens would desire to keep a “book of the words,” hence the number of MSS. of that period. The Chester MSS. extant are:-- _a._ 1591, by “Edward Gregorie a Scholar of Bunbury”; now in possession of the Duke of Devonshire. _b._ 1592 } by George Bellin, Brit. Mus.: Add. MS. 10305; _c._ 1600 } Brit. Mus.; Harl. 2013. _d._ 1604, by William Bedford, Bodleian. _e._ 1607, by James Miller, Brit. Mus.; Harl. 2124. _f._ “The Resurrection” Play, by George Bellin, in the books of the Ironmongers’ Company, Chester.[18] [18] Found by me last year. It is no doubt the “riginall” which the Company used, as they were responsible for the play. I have collated it with the other MSS., but the differences are not very important.