The monk, Lucian, told of a Chester procession of clerics in the year 1195 and the annals mention a parade in 1397/8 but it was not until the mayorality of Richard Goodman who served from November 1498 until November 1499 (most modern writings place he Midsummer Watch in the year 1498 which is unproved) that the Wach on Midsummer Eve was first sett out and begonne. At every summer solstice, Cestrians would march through the streets carrying torches and wearing costumes during years when the famous Chester Mystery Plays were not performed.

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  • The monk, Lucian, told of a Chester procession of clerics in the year 1195 and the annals mention a parade in 1397/8 but it was not until the mayorality of Richard Goodman who served from November 1498 until November 1499 (most modern writings place he Midsummer Watch in the year 1498 which is unproved) that the Wach on Midsummer Eve was first sett out and begonne. At every summer solstice, Cestrians would march through the streets carrying torches and wearing costumes during years when the famous Chester Mystery Plays were not performed. In 1564 the midsummer watch parade included: 4 gyants, 1 unikorne, 1 dromodarye, 1 luce, 1 camell, 1 dragon, 6 hobbyhorses and 16 naked boys. Putting the procession together was profitable for some and fun for others. An annual account includes: Buckram for the giants Hood 4s; Fine buckram for the giant's whiskers 10s 10d; Michael Linch for cutting the garnish whiskers and all the roses used in the work 10s; John Banion 15 days work at 1s, 15s; John Wright, 35 days chiding and brawling and hindering the workmen from their work, and allsoe for fuddleing and drinkeing with several ather leters and molestationers, just notrhing and wortily he declare it, 0s 0d. Despite the cancellation of the mystery plays in 1575, (although they were performed again in 1578) and the banning of the midsummer parade in 1600 by the protestant mayor, Henry Hardware, the tradition was revived by the next mayor Robert Brerewood, but without the devil in feathers and the naked boys. The parade continued for every year until the last quarter of the 17th century. The last Midsummer show was recorded in 1670, it was then moved to Whit Tuesday until 1678 and not revived until 1995. The most famous part of the performance was the family of giants; massive pasteboard models of people carried by several performers. Other attractions included the dragon of Hell, the fools and the massive mounts, a precursor to modern floats - one was the 'Merchant's Mount', a pirate ship. (en)
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  • The monk, Lucian, told of a Chester procession of clerics in the year 1195 and the annals mention a parade in 1397/8 but it was not until the mayorality of Richard Goodman who served from November 1498 until November 1499 (most modern writings place he Midsummer Watch in the year 1498 which is unproved) that the Wach on Midsummer Eve was first sett out and begonne. At every summer solstice, Cestrians would march through the streets carrying torches and wearing costumes during years when the famous Chester Mystery Plays were not performed. (en)
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  • Chester Midsummer Watch Parade (en)
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