The term ‘pageant’ is used at Chester both for the vehicle and for the play performed on it; but, contrary to the custom elsewhere, more usually for the latter. The vehicle is generally called a ‘carriage.’ It was kept in a ‘caryadghouse’ and occasionally served two crafts on different days. The expenses of carriage, porters, refreshments, actors, and rehearsals fell, as shown by the extant _Accounts_ of the Smiths’ company, on the crafts. They were met by a levy upon each member and journeyman. Vestments were hired from the clergy; both minstrels and choristers were in request for songs and music. The Corporation supervised the performances, questions as to the incidence of the burden upon this or that craft coming before the Pentice court. In 1575 the Smiths submitted two alternative plays for the choice of the aldermen. The authoritative copy or ‘originall booke’ of the plays seems to have belonged to the city. The Smiths paid for reading the ‘Regenall,’ ‘an Rygynall’ or ‘orraginall.’ In 1568 one ‘Randall Trevor, gent.’ seems to have lost the book. There is an interesting allusion to the unprofessional quality of the actors, in the copy of the later Banns preserved by Rogers. The plays are not ‘contryued In such sorte & cunninge, & by such playeres of price, As at this day good playeres & fine wittes coulde devise, ... By Craftes men & meane men these Pageauntes are played And to Commons and Contryemen acustomablye before. If better men & finer heades now come, what canne be saide? But of common and contrye playeres take thou the storye; And if any disdaine, then open is yᵉ doore That lett him in to heare; packe awaye at his pleasure; Oure playeinge is not to gett fame or treasure[791].’ _Exceptional Performances._ In 1567 ‘Richard Dutton, mayor, kept a very worthy house for all comers all the tyme of Christmas with a Lorde of Misrule and other pastymes in this city as the Whitson Plays.’ Single plays from the cycle were similarly used for purposes of special entertainment. In 1488 was the _Assumption_ before Lord Strange at the High Cross; in 1497 the _Assumption_ before Prince Arthur at the Abbey gates and the High Cross; in 1515 the _Assumption_ again together with the _Shepherds’_ play in St. John’s churchyard. In 1576, the Smiths had ‘our plas’ (the _Purification_) ‘at Alderman Mountford’s on Midsomer Eve.’ Finally, in 1578, Thomas Bellin, mayor, caused the Shepherds’ play ‘and other triumphs’ to be played at the high cross on the Roodee before the Earl of Derby, Lord Strange, and others[792]. _Other plays._ The play by the ‘colliges and prestys’ on Corpus Christi day mentioned in the ‘White Book’ and in the ‘Banes’ preserved therein has already been noted.