This is a film of a historical pageant procession through Beverley that took place on July 10th, 1937, and also a re-enactment of historical scenes.  The Archive also holds a version of the film that was updated in 1969 to include a commentary by Ernest Symmons (YFA 5297). Opening Titles:  Minotaur Film Productions presents: Beverley ‘Through the Ages’ A Debenham Film Production Photographed and Narrated by Ernest F. Symmons Beverley ‘Through the Ages is exhibited with kind permission of...

This is a film of a historical pageant procession through Beverley that took place on July 10th, 1937, and also a re-enactment of historical scenes.  The Archive also holds a version of the film that was updated in 1969 to include a commentary by Ernest Symmons (YFA 5297). Opening Titles:  Minotaur Film Productions presents: Beverley ‘Through the Ages’ A Debenham Film Production Photographed and Narrated by Ernest F. Symmons Beverley ‘Through the Ages is exhibited with kind permission of Mrs Thelma Symmons Historical Pageant Procession, Beverley ‘Through the Ages, July 10th 1937. The film begins with a view of Beverley Minster, followed by an old book being opened next to a skull and a sand timer.  Then a group of people in various historical costumes, and carrying a stuffed bear, walk across a field.  They are next seen walking through the streets of Beverley as part of a bigger procession, interspersed with cut backs to the book, opened at different pages.  The procession begins with the Romans and moves on chronologically to the entry of St John into the town c.700, the Viking invasion, King Athelstan, Archbishop Thurlston, Orders of Franciscans and Dominicans, craft guilds, tanners, Mystery Plays, Bishop Fisher, and the visit of Henry VIII and Queen Kathryn Howard.   In 1642 Charles I moved court from York to Beverley, and then through the Victorians, and finally up to today.  There are representations of all the sports, as well as the Mayor, Mr Burden, Miss Beverley, Margaret Evans, and other queens, which are named.   This is followed by a historical re-enactment of someone seeking sanctuary in St Mary’s Church.  The man is let in and reaches the Frid stool, with his pursuers daring not to strike him.  The Charter is then shown and there is more film of the procession. Among the historical figures shown and commentated upon are John Wesley.  It is noted that Major Norman Birch and Nancy Hall play the roles of Charles XIII and Kathryn Howard, respectively. Intertitle – In the romantic days of the early Victorian era. Next is a re-enactment of a ‘typical’ scene from the nineteenth century, filmed in Bishop Burton.  Young ladies are gossiping in a village, and a gentleman on penny farthing passes.  Miss Nichols appears: a woman displaying a fashionable dress from London.  In a private garden a young man reads poetry to his love.  The woman’s father, with a bad leg, appears in a bad mood and orders his daughter inside and the man to leave, despite his protestations that he wishes to marry his daughter.  The man returns and puts a ladder up to his love’s window.  The couple then goes to the blacksmith to get married, which ceremony he performs, for a fee of 7’6p.  The bride’s father arrives too late to stop it. Title – The End.