Medieval theatre covers a variety of genres and places

It covers approx 1000 years and the entire European continent

Very little documentation remains due to poor literacy and opposition by the clergy

Little is known - references to actors, jugglers, rope dancers, rituals and mimes

Minstrels became the preserver of tribal and pagan histories but were later denounced

Between 925 and 975, drama becomes re-introduced into the church services.

With diminishing church control, secularization led to or allowed changes

By 1350 they were being performed outside the church, in the venacular by unpaid laymen

Around 1200 - Clergy would act out short plays in Latin to go with the services, later the alter boys would perform them.

Morality - didactic allegories, often of common man’s struggle for salvation

Miracle - The lives of Saints, legendary or historical

Mystery - About the life of Jesus or the Old Testament