But before the plays took place it was customary to send messengers on horseback and on stilts[29] to various places round the city[30] to read the “Banes” or “Banns,” announcing the performance, and Bellin has left us a copy of the “Banes,” which has been often printed, and is therefore here abbreviated. It is a curious document, for it is so extremely apologetic in tone, and notes even words in the plays which had become obsolete. The “Banes” is dated 1600, and it is possible that Bellin merely meant the date of his copying, but a careful study of it makes me suspect that there was in this year one last expiring effort made by the citizens to perform the plays, and that _this_ “Banes” was specially written for the occasion. Although Archbishop Grindal had prohibited the plays in 1571, we know of performances up to 1576. In 1599, also, Henry Hardware, the Mayor, “was not liked by the commons,” because he tried to do away with the Midsummer show and all festivity, but we are expressly told that next year the Mayor, Robert Brerewode, “restored again all the ancient customs ... and put down Mr. Hardware,” and he may have tried to revive the plays as well as the Midsummer show. However, no trace of any performance in 1600 has yet come to light. [29] “To our horses at the rydyng of the Banes xvi_d._ “To Richard Dobie for going on the stilts at the Banes ryding” -- --_Painters and Glaziers’ Accounts._ Some of the performers from the Mayor’s Midsummer show gradually got grafted on to the “Banes Riding,” and increased the importance of it. [30] The Castle and the North Gate were two of the appointed places, and the “Banes” would be heard by the wretched prisoners there, to whom a donation was generally accorded:-- “To the prisoners at the Castle i_d._ To the prisoners at the North Gate i_d._” _Painters and Glaziers’ Accounts._ THE BANES which are reade beefore the beginninge of the Playes of Chester, 4 June 1900. Reverende lordes & ladyes all, That at this tyme here assembled bee, By this message understand you shall That some tymes there was Mayor of this Citie Sir John Arnway, Knighte, who most worthilye Contented hymselfe to sett out in playe The devise of one Done Rondall, moonke of Chester Abbey. This moonke, moonke-like, in Scriptures well seene, In storyes travilled with the beste sorte, In pagentes set fourth apparently to all eyne The olde & new testament, with livelye comforth, Interminglinge therewith, only to make sporte, Some thinges not warranted by any writt, Which to gladd the hearers he woulde men to tyke yt.