Mariken van Nieumeghen

The miracle play Mariken van Nieumeghen (c. 1500) is remarkably modern both in its psychological insight and in its technique. The “miracle” of the renegade’s conversion is achieved through the simple and realistic device of her confrontation with a topical “pageant” street play, a theme within a theme.…

…plays, two deserve special mention: Mariken van Nieumeghen (late 15th century; “Mary of Nijmegen”) and Elckerlyc (of about the same date). The first anticipates the Renaissance in its psychology and treatment; the second, entirely medieval in its conception, is the original of the English Everyman. Both were written by members…