Morris Dancing FAQs [Books]

A Handbook of Morris Dances (aka 'The Black Book'): by Lionel Bacon
The Morris Ring, 1974; Originally published by the Morris Ring in 1974 from teaching notes first prepared in 1951, it is a distillation of materials drawn from a number of sources including The Morris Book, articles published in the English Folk Dance and Song Society Journal, Roy Dommett's note, and numerous unpublished manuscripts. Recently revised so as to integrate supplemental materials with main text.; • Available: <http://www.themorrisring.org/Shop.htm>; • Available: <http://www.cdss.org/sales/english_dance.html>; • Categories: Books : Dance Notes

FAQ Entry Updated: 2006-03-23

A Handbook of Morris Dances (The Black Book): by Lionel Bacon
Vaughan Hully of Shakespeare Morris Men converted all of Lionel Bacon's "Black Book" tunes into abc format files. They are indexed by this Morris Ring project by tradition, and each link in turn links to all the abc version(s) of the tunes.; • Index: <http://www.themorrisring.org/more/Tunes/index.html>; • Maintainer: John Maher <j.p.maher@gmail.com>; • Categories: Books : Music Sources

FAQ Entry Updated: 2006-09-06

Adderbury Tradition: by Tim Radford
Morris Federation, 1989
ISBN 0-948383-05-4; Published as part of the Cotswold Morris Dancing Workshop Series, it draws on material drawn from Janet Heatley Blunt and Cecil Sharp manuscripts, The Morris Book II, and Roy Dommett's notes.; • Available: <http://www.morrisfed.org/mf/shopuk.html>; • Available: <http://www.morrisbells.com/morrisbells/bookorder.html>; • Categories: Books : Dance Notes

FAQ Entry Updated: 2004-12-07

An Index to Cecil J. Sharp's "The Morris Book": by Cawte, E. C.
Morris Ring and the Centre for English Cultural Tradition and Language, University of Sheffield, 1983
(CECTAL bibliographical and special series, no. 3)
ISSN 0309-9229; Index and guide to the five volumes of "The Morris Book"; • Available: <http://www.cdss.org/sales/english_dance.html>; • Categories: Books

FAQ Entry Updated: 2003-01-26

Annals of Early Morris: by John Forrest & Michael Heaney
CECTAL in association with the Morris Ring, 1991
ISSN 0309-9229, Bibliographical and Special Series, No.6; An index of all known references to morris starting with the Wetenhale reference of 1458 and ending at 1750 when references to morris tend to conform to the modern sense of the dance. The work consists of a section of tabular data categorizing the nature of the published references, a bibliography of the sources, a place name index, and cross-references by source types.; • Available: <http://www.themorrisring.org/Shop.htm>; • Categories: Books : History

FAQ Entry Updated: 2006-03-23

Bedlam Morris: by Michael Heaney
Chandler Publications, 1985
ISBN 0 947801 03 0; This booklet was an expanded version of a lecture given at the Vaughn Williams Library on 25 January, 1985. In it, the author presents the first modern study on the origin and structure of Bedlam morris (now better known as border morris).; • Categories: Books : History

FAQ Entry Updated: 2004-12-07

Concerning Clogs: by Bob Dobson
Landy Publishing, 1993; A concise history of making, wearing, working and dancing in clogs.; • Available: <http://www.themorrisring.org/Shop.htm>; • Out of print: <http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1872895131/>; • Categories: Books

FAQ Entry Updated: 2006-03-23

Constructing a Hobby Animal: Mainly for Morris Dancers: Ron Shuttleworth
R.K. Shuttleworth, 1994; This study started as the text of a talk which Ron Shuttleworth, Morris Ring Folk Play Archivist, gave in 1985 at the Morris Ring's Weekend Instructional for Fools and Beasts. This corrected edition replaces and revises the much photocopied notes that had previously been in circulation. Also available on the web.; • Available: <http://www.cdss.org/sales/english_dance.html>; • Web Version: <http://homepage.ntlworld.com/captainwebb/cafe/constind.htm>; • Maintainer: Ron Shuttleworth <mumminguk@mail.com>; • Categories: Books : Characters

FAQ Entry Updated: 2003-01-27

Discovering English Folk Dance: by Hugh Rippon
Shire Publications Ltd, 1975
ISBN 0-85263-271-1; History and description of various dance forms and where they may be found. Covers Cotswold morris, NW Processional morris, Carnival morris, Sword dances, Hobby-horse, Horn dance, and Maypole dances.; • Available: <http://www.cdss.org/sales/english_dance.html>; • Available: <http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0747802254/>; • Categories: Books

FAQ Entry Updated: 2004-06-10

Electric Folk: The Changing Face of English Traditional Music: by Britta Sweers
Oxford University Press
ISBN 0195158784, 2004, hardcover
ISBN 019517478X, 2005, paperback; From the product review: "Britta Sweers provides an illuminating history and fascinating analysis of the unique features of the electric folk scene, exploring its musical styles and cultural implications. Drawing on historical sources, contemporary music journalism, and first-hand interviews with several of electric folk's most prominent artists, Sweers argues that electric folk is both a result of the American folk revival of the early 1960s and a reaction against the dominance of American pop music abroad." There are quite a few references to morris dancing in the context of the music that Ashley Hutchings, John Kirkpatrick, Maddy Prior, and others introduced to the world.; • Hardcover (available): <http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0195158784/>; • Paperback (available): <http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/019517478X/>; • Categories: Books

FAQ Entry Updated: 2005-02-18

English Mumming Play: An Introductory Bibliography: Eddie Cass, Michael J. Preston, and Paul Smith
The Folklore Society, 2000
(FLS Bibliographies No.2)
ISSN 0-903515-21-0; This is comprehensive bibliography of literature on British mumming plays. It is clearly intended for research use, which it serves admirably. There are 280 individual entries, which give author, title and publication details. There are no individual abstracts or summaries, but each section commences with a summary of the key issues and key publications relevant to its subject. There is an author index, and to help people obtain copies of the items, there are descriptions of the archives of the Folklore Society, the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library, and the Morris Ring Archive.; • Available: <http://www.cdss.org/sales/english_dance.html>; • Available: <http://www.efdss.org/>; • Review: <http://www.shef.ac.uk/~tdrg/Forum/TD_Forum_5_Reviews.htm>; • Categories: Books : Mumming/Ritual Drama

FAQ Entry Updated: 2004-12-07

Esperance Morris Book: a manual of morris dances, folk-songs and singing games.: by Mary Neal
3d. ed., London, J. Curwen, 1910-1912.
2 v., Curwen's edition, 5694.

One of the earliest published collections of morris dances, it gathers materials used by Mary Neal in her school in London. Long out of print. Copies appear occasionally on Ebay, especially Part 1.; • Categories: Books : Collectibles : Dance Notes

FAQ Entry Updated: 2004-12-07

Fieldtown Dances and Jigs: by Bert Cleaver
Morris Ring, 1985; Description of the dances as interpreted and performed by the Greensleeves Morris Men. Dances with tunes.; • Available: <http://www.themorrisring.org/Shop.htm>; • Available: <http://www.cdss.org/sales/english_dance.html>; • Categories: Books

FAQ Entry Updated: 2006-03-23

Fit to jump ower the moon-- : the Rapper Sword Dance of Northumberland and Durham: by George Wallace; edited by Ednie Wilson
[Gateshead] : Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council, Libraries, Arts, and Shipley Gallery Committee, 1986; Not much information is available. It is a 56 page booklet, that according to Corrsin's bibliography, is a "very well illustrated, anecdotal history."; • Categories: Books : Sword Dancing

FAQ Entry Updated: 2005-03-17

History of Morris Dancing, 1438-1750: by John Forrest
James Clarke and Co., Ltd, 1999
ISBN 0-227679-43-1 (UK hardcover)
ISBN 0-227679-44-X (UK papercover)
(Studies in Early English Drama; 5)
University of Toronto Press, 1999
ISBN 0-8020-0921-2 (North America)

The author suggests that morris dancing does not have pagan or ancient origins. The book examines the passage of dance ideas between groups of people who have conventionally been considered folklorically distinct and ties morris traditions into the wider area of communal customs and public celebrations.; • Publisher: <http://www.lutterworth.com/jamesclarke/jc/titles/morris.htm>; • Available: <http://www.TheMorrisRing.org/Sales.htm>; • Out of print: <http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=0802009212>; • Categories: Books : History

FAQ Entry Updated: 2004-10-14

Imagined Village: Culture, Ideology, and the English Folk Revival: by Georgina Boyes
Manchester, Manchester University Press, 1993
ISBN 0-7190-2914-7 (hardcover)
ISBN 0-7190-4571-1 (paperback); Details the growth of the folk revival in England at the turn of the century, describing the human side of the important figures.; • Available: <http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=0719045711>; • Categories: Books

FAQ Entry Updated: 2004-06-10

Introducing the Folk Plays of England: Ron Shuttleworth
R.K. Shuttleworth, 1984 ISBN: 0-9510140-0-5; The archivist of folk plays for England's Morris Ring answers common questions about the plays and describes the Sword, Wooing, and Hero-Combat Plays. With bibliography.; • Available: <http://www.cdss.org/sales/english_dance.html>; • Categories: Books : Mumming/Ritual Drama

FAQ Entry Updated: 2004-12-07

Jack-in-the-Green: A May Day Custom, 2nd edition: by Roy Judge
Folklore Society, 2000
ISBN 0-903515-20-2

The book contains a mass of print-data combined with over forty plates depicting the Jack-in-the-Green and other May Day figures. This recent revision includes new evidence and an entirely new section on recent interpretations of the Jack-in-the-Green, both in the context of increasing interest in festivals that include the figure and in its relationship to the related phenomenon of the Green Man. The book is organized in three parts: the first is an historical survey of evidence for the figure in the eighteenth century, including information about other related May Day traditions. The second section is an analysis of the material from 1830--1900. Judge offers descriptions of the tradition and evidence to document its widespread occurrence. The third section is an examination of the decline of the figure and its subsequent revival in recent decades. The remainder of the book is dedicated to a gazetteer of dated references to the Jack-in-the-Green, organized by location.; • Available: <http://www.cdss.org/sales/english_dance.html>; • Available: <http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0903515202/>; • Categories: Books : Characters : History

FAQ Entry Updated: 2004-12-07

Lancashire Pace-egg Play: A Social History: by Eddie Cass
The Folklore Society, 2001
ISSN 0-903515-22-9

The book covers the historical background, development and social context of the Lancashire Pace-Egging Play to the present day. It contains a wealth of references and sources. Alongside the author's efforts to present and maintain a solid foundation of historical evidence, is a description of the vitality and local colour of the play, particularly in his case studies.; • Available: <http://www.cdss.org/sales/english_dance.html>; • Available: <http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0903515229/>; • Review: <http://www.mustrad.org.uk/reviews/pace_egg.htm>; • Categories: Books : Mumming/Ritual Drama

FAQ Entry Updated: 2004-12-07

Longsword Dances from Traditional and Manuscript Sources: by Ivor Allsop, edited by Anthony Barrand
Plainfield, VT : Northern Harmony Pub. Co., 1996

Proclaimed as the "Bacon" of longsword dances. Full notation of all 27 longsword dances and sword play texts from British sources (Yorkshire, Shetland, and Isle of Man). Lots of diagrams and all music for the song- and dance-airs beautifully engraved by John Roberts. There are also photographs of teams and some key sword dance researchers, and maps with each notation to help create a sense of "place" for each dance. Does not include rapper dances. 384 pages.; • Publisher: <http://www.sover.net/~barrand/nhchb.html>; • Available: <http://www.cdss.org/sales/english_dance.html>; • Available: <http://www.TheMorrisRing.org/Sales.htm>; • Maintainer: Tony Barrand <barrand@adelphia.net>; • Categories: Books : Sword Dancing

FAQ Entry Updated: 2003-05-29

May Day in England: An Introductory Bibliography: by Roy Judge
Folklore Society, 1999
ISBN 0-903515-19-9; Based on the holdings of the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library of the English Folk Dance and Song Society. Its aim is to offer some introductory guidance in finding relevant May Day material.; • Available: <http://www.cdss.org/sales/english_dance.html>; • Available: <http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0903515199/>; • Categories: Books

FAQ Entry Updated: 2003-01-26

Molly Dancing and the Seven Champions: Postmodernism and the Re-invention of Tradition: by Elaine Bradtke
PhD Dissertation, University of Maryland, 1997
Dissertations Abstracts Order Number: 9729374; The English folk revival, in recent decades, has seen the revival and reinvention of genres which had been heretofore ignored. One of the most influential groups in the revival is the Seven Champions Molly Dancers. They are compared with pre-revival Molly dancers, as well as dancers from the late twentieth century Molly dance revival. This study is based on archival and field research conducted both in England and the United States, including, interviews, direct observation, participation, questionnaires, and the collection of video and audio taped performances and photographs. Dance and musical notations were made and analyzed. A modified version of John Forrest's "Model for Assessing and Comparing Ceremonial Dance Types" was developed to compare historical and contemporary Molly dancers, the latter divided into traditionalist and innovative categories.; • Available: <http://www.umi.com/hp/Products/DisExpress.html>; • Categories: Books : Molly

FAQ Entry Updated: 2004-12-07

Morris and Matachin: A Study in Comparative Choreography: by John Forrest
English Folk Dance and Song Society ; Centre for English Cultural Tradition and Language, University of Sheffield, 1984
(CECTAL publications, no. 4)
ISSN 0263-4805; A thesis on the origins of Cotswold morris and its similarities to the European matachin, including chapters on the history of morris dancing and previous scholarship.; • Available: <http://www.cdss.org/sales/english_dance.html>; • Categories: Books : History

FAQ Entry Updated: 2004-12-07

Morris Dance Tunes; Collected from Traditional Sources and Arranged for Piano Solo: Cecil J. Sharp and Herbert C. Macilwaine
10 pt. in 1 v.
London: Novello and Company, Ltd., 190?-1911.
[etext: University of Michigan Digital Library]; Note: "These tunes are issued in connection with 'The Morris book,' part 1 (New edition)"
Note: Pts. 9-10, by Cecil J. Sharp and George Butterworth.; This is a scanned image version of the text of the book. Several image resolutions and formats are available.; • e-Book: <http://www.hti.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=genpub;idno=AEA1639.0001.001>; • PURL: <http://name.umdl.umich.edu/AEA1639>; • Maintainer: Tom Keays [Contact Form]; • Categories: Books : Music Sources

FAQ Entry Updated: 2005-02-17

Morris Dancing in the English South Midlands, 1660-1900: A Chronological Gazetteer: by Keith Chandler
Enfield Lock, Hisarlik Press, 1993
ISBN 1-874312-07-9; A county-by-county listing of the 147 confirmed performance locations of morris dancing in the region during the period. Each entry includes, where available: chronology of performance, with details of context and activity; list of participants with biographical details; details of accompanying musicians; list of known extant primary sources; further commentary on interpretation of data, where necessary.; Also available on the CD-ROM of Chandler's research distributed by the Morris Ring.; • Available: <http://www.themorrisring.org/Shop.htm>; • Available: <http://www.cdss.org/sales/english_dance.html>; • Categories: Books : History

FAQ Entry Updated: 2006-03-23

Morris Dancing on the Lancashire Plain: The Horwich Inquiry: by Pruw Boswell
Claughton Press for The Morris Ring, 1984; History and descriptions of the morris teams who danced in the Horwich area from 1890-1939. Includes appendices on costume, the dances, and tunes used.; • Available: <http://www.cdss.org/sales/english_dance.html>; • Categories: Books : History

FAQ Entry Updated: 2004-12-07

Morris Dancing on the Lancashire Plain: The Preston tradition, 1890 to 1939: by Pruw Boswell
Claughton Press for The Morris Ring, 1981; History and descriptions of the morris teams who danced in the Preston area from 1890-1939. Includes appendices on costume, the dances, and tunes used. Out of print.; • Categories: Books : History

FAQ Entry Updated: 2004-12-07

Morris Jigs From Bledington, Headington, Longborough and Bucknell: by Bert Cleaver
Morris Ring, 1986; Written in response to very popular jig workshops hosted by the Greensleeves Morris Men. Dances with tunes.; • Available: <http://www.themorrisring.org/Shop.htm>; • Available: <http://www.cdss.org/sales/english_dance.html>; • Categories: Books : Dance Notes

FAQ Entry Updated: 2006-03-23

Orchesography: by Thoinot Arbeau
translated by Mary Stewart Evans
Dover Books, 1967
ISBN 0-486-21745-0

Probably the most valuable book on 16th-century dances and dance music. Describes the galliards, pavans, branles, gavottes, lavolta, basse dance, morris dance, sword dance, canary, etc., with detailed instructions of steps involved. Throughout the text are references to the practices of 16th-century instrumental music, in addition to 47 dance tunes with 16th-century barring and notation.; • Available: <http://store.yahoo.com/doverpublications/0486217450.html>; • abc notation: <http://anamnese.online.fr/abc/arbeau.abc>; • Categories: Books : Music Sources : Sword Dancing

FAQ Entry Updated: 2003-08-25

Ribbons, Bells and Squeaking Fiddles: Social History of Morris Dancing in the English South Midlands: by Keith Chandler
Enfield Lock, Hisarlik Press, 1993
ISBN 1-874312-06-0; A thorough reassessment examining the historical development and performance aspects of the morris dance in seven counties of the English South Midlands from 1660 to 1900. The author analyses the multiple contexts and meaning of performance to the participants and the community, transmission, generational continuity, patronage, the role of the fool, and aspects of music and musicians.; Book is out of print, but a CD-ROM of Chandler's reseach includes this book.; • Available (CD-ROM): <http://www.cdss.org/sales/english_dance.html>; • Categories: Books : History

FAQ Entry Updated: 2004-12-07

Ron Shuttleworth Collection: The Ron Shuttleworth Collection is the Morris Ring Archive on Folk Plays and Mumming. This site gives access to a unique and exhaustive resource on the English Mumming play and related traditions. The archive includes a paper based collection in Coventry England, a database of material written about mumming will eventually be available, the complete texts of leaflets written by the Archivist and more.; • Homepage: <http://www.folkplay.info/Ron/Index.htm>; • Book List: <http://www.folkplay.info/Ron/Booklist.htm>; • Collection: <http://www.folkplay.info/Ron/Collection.htm>; • Maintainer: Ron Shuttleworth <mumminguk@mail.com>; • Categories: Archives/Libraries : Bibliographies : Books : Mumming/Ritual Drama

FAQ Entry Updated: 2003-01-27

Room, Room, Ladies and Gentlemen: An Introduction to the English Mummers' Play: by Eddie Cass and Steve Roud
English Folk Dance and Song Society, in association with The Folklore Society, 2002
(English Folk Arts Series)
ISBN 0-85418-185

The book is intended as an introduction for those knowing little or nothing of the Mummers' Play and, as such, doesn't go into scholarly detail. The text makes it clear that the book is aimed partly at schools and groups of young people interested in starting the performance of a play for the first time. The book has five sections. Section 1 deals with History, Origins, Heyday and Decline, and Mummers Today. Section 2 covers the detail of the play and its performers: names of characters; types of performance; types of play; costumes; venues, attitudes and motives. Section 3 deals with everything you need to know about starting your own Mumming Play tradition. Section 4 covers finding material. The final section presents the texts of nine plays from a representative selection of types and areas.; • Available: <http://www.cdss.org/sales/english_dance.html>; • Available: <http://www.efdss.org/>; • Review: <http://www.mustrad.org.uk/reviews/mummers.htm>; • Categories: Books : History : Mumming/Ritual Drama

FAQ Entry Updated: 2004-12-07

Roy Dommett's Morris Notes: by Roy Dommett, edited by Anthony Barrand
Country Dance and Song Society, 1986; Published in five parts:
Part 1, Cotswold or Wychwood Morris [686 pages]
Part 2, Northwest Morris [135 pages]
Part 3, Garland Dances [80 pages]
Part 4, Sword Dances [44 pages]
Part 5, Other Morris [183 pages]; Notes by the foremost modern collector and authority of the morris "revival", edited by Tony Barrand.; The CDSS withdrew this series after controversy arose over the inclusion of the Abingdon dances in the published notes. At present, the only part of his notes that are available, other than the time-honored practice of circulating multiple-generation degraded photocopies is a partial repository of the notes maintained by Nigel Sparkes on his website. Discussion on the MDDL indicates that the Morris Federation is looking into producing a digital version of some sort.; • Web Version: <http://www.opread.force9.co.uk/RoyDommet/>; • Categories: Books : Dance Notes

FAQ Entry Updated: 2004-12-07

Sherborne Dances and Jigs: by Bert Cleaver
Morris Ring, 1983; Description of 13 dances as interpreted and performed by the Greensleeves Morris Men. Dances with tunes.; • Available: <http://www.themorrisring.org/Shop.htm>; • Available: <http://www.cdss.org/sales/english_dance.html>; • Categories: Books : Dance Notes

FAQ Entry Updated: 2006-03-23

Six Fools and a Dancer: the timeless way of the Morris: by Anthony Barrand
Plainfield, VT : Northern Harmony Pub. Co., 1991
ISBN 0-96275541-9

A look at the history and aesthetics of morris dancing. Not exactly an instruction book, it offers a unique approach to the teaching of the morris in the Americas.; • Available: <http://www.cdss.org/sales/english_dance.html>; • Available: <http://www.sover.net/~barrand/nhchb.html>; • Maintainer: Tony Barrand <barrand@adelphia.net>; • Categories: Books : History

FAQ Entry Updated: 2004-12-07

So You Want to Start Mumming? : Suggestions for Beginners: Ron Shuttleworth
R.K. Shuttleworth, 1994 ISBN: 0-9510140-1-3; Beginners book written by the founder of England's Coventry Mummers, with chapters on costumes/props, approach to humor, sources of texts, and more.; • Available: <http://www.cdss.org/sales/english_dance.html>; • Categories: Books : Mumming/Ritual Drama

FAQ Entry Updated: 2004-12-07

Stations of the Sun : A History of the Ritual Year in Britain: by Ronald Hutton
Oxford, Oxford University Press, 1997
ISBN 0-19-820570-8 (hardcover)
ISBN 0-19-288045-4 (paperback)

Traces the ritual year from year's beginning to end and covers many morris related customs along the way, including Plough Monday, mummers' plays, sword dances, hobby horses, the Horn Dance, May dances, rush bearing, etc. This is a scholarly book, but very readable and interesting. Has surprisingly little "woo-woo" factor.; • Out of Print: <http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=0192880454>; • Out of Print: <http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ISBN=0192880454>; • Categories: Books : History

FAQ Entry Updated: 2004-12-07

Step Change: New views on traditional dance: edited by Georgina Boyes
Francis Boutle Publishers, 2001
ISBN 1-903427-09-6

The study of traditional dance has changed dramatically over the last ten years, bringing in previously unregarded types of dance and challenging the assumptions of the early Folk Dance Revival. Step Change introduces the enthusiast and the general reader alike to seven views of English traditonal dance, some controversial, that reflect this new approach: English sword dancing and the European context; Ladies' clog dance contests of the 1890s; ownership of the Britannia Coco-Nut dances of Bacup, Lancashire; the tradition of 'Molly' dances of East Anglian farm workers and its reinvention in the 1970s; the colourful life of nineteenth-century morris 'fool', William 'Old Mettle' Castle; the folk dance revival as seen through the Abbey School novels of Elsie J. Oxenham; and a fresh look at the achievements of folk dance collector, Maud Karpeles.; • Publisher: <http://www.francisboutle.demon.co.uk/>; • Available: <http://www.cdss.org/sales/english_dance.html>; • Available: <http://www.themorrisring.org/Shop.htm>; • Categories: Books : History : Molly

FAQ Entry Updated: 2006-03-23

Sword Dances of Northern England: by Cecil Sharp
Parts I, II, III
EP Publishing Ltd., 1977; Notation of nine longsword and shortsword (rapper) dances as well as the Abbots Bromley horn dance. Now out of print; the Morris Ring has considered reprinting it, but situation in less clear now that Allsop's work is now available. Contact Eddie Dunmore, Ring Publications Officer for more information.; Some of the Sharp's collected dances are notated on the Rapper Online website.; • Online notation: <http://www.rapper.org.uk/notations/>; • Categories: Books : Dance Notes : Sword Dancing

FAQ Entry Updated: 2004-12-07

Sword Dancing in Europe: A History: by Stephen D. Corrsin
Enfield Lock, Hisarlik Press, 1997
ISBN 1-874312-25-7

Widely distributed from the mid fifteenth century on, sword dancing has been popular at different times in towns and villages in many parts of Europe. This meticulous study surveys the history of European styles of linked sword dancing based on the evidence of primary sources in ten or more languages. This breadth of reference makes it essential reading for students of the history of European dance, popular performance and festival customs, as well as for those interested in sword dancing itself. With photographs.; • Available: <http://www.cdss.org/sales/english_dance.html>; • Available: <http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ISBN=1874312257>; • Categories: Books : Dance Notes : History : Sword Dancing

FAQ Entry Updated: 2004-12-07

The Morris Book (1907 edition): Cecil Sharp and Herbert MacIlwaine
In Two Parts. Part I.
London: Novello and Company, Ltd., 1907
[e-text: Project Gutenberg, 2004]; Many morris dancers are familiar with the 1912 edition, but most will never have seen the original 1907 edition, which was released on Project Gutenberg in 2004. There are some significant and very interesting differences, especially at the beginning of the text. Sharp and MacIlwaine describes these in the 1912 Introduction, for example the exclusion of some Bidford dances. A historically interesting difference is on the front page, where the dedication is: TO OUR FRIENDS AND PUPILS, The Members of the Esperance Girls' Club, CUMBERLAND MARKET, N.W. [Abstract exerpted from John Maher.]; • Full-text available: <http://www.gutenberg.net/etext/12926>; • Paginated full-text: <http://www.tomkeays.com/morris/text/12926-h/12926-h.htm>; • Maintainer: Tom Keays [Contact Form]; • Categories: Books : Dance Notes : History

FAQ Entry Updated: 2004-12-07

The Morris Book (1912 edition): Cecil Sharp and Herbert MacIlwaine
The Morris Ring, 1991
ISBN 0-95030203-5; A reprint originally published in five parts:
Part I, first published in 1907, second edition published in 1912,
Part II, first published in 1909, second edition published in 1919,
Part III, first published in 1911, second edition published in 1924,
Part IV, first published in 1911,
Part V, first published in 1913.; A definitive resource for many traditions as collected by Sharp including Headington, Ilmington, Adderbury, Bampton, Castleton garland dance, Longborough, Fieldtown, and more. With tunes and index.; • Available: <http://www.themorrisring.org/Shop.htm>; • Available: <http://www.cdss.org/sales/english_dance.html>; • Categories: Books : Dance Notes : History

FAQ Entry Updated: 2006-03-23

The Morris Traditions: The Morris Ring, 2004; This booklet, revised in 2004, is sold by the Morris Ring teams as a recruiting aid and overview for prospective and new dancers. There is also an online version. The sales page says: "These booklets are printed in colour on good quality paper in A5 size; the 25 pages are liberally illustrated with photographs and provide a broad description of the Morris: revival and history, different styles of Morris and Sword, Mumming, Morris music, Fools and Beasts, and a brief bibliography."; • Online version: <http://www.themorrisring.org/tb/>; • Sales page: <http://www.themorrisring.org/TradBook.html>; • Maintainer: John Maher <j.p.maher@gmail.com>; • Categories: Books : History

FAQ Entry Updated: 2005-03-17

Truculent Rustics: Molly Dancing in East Anglia before 1940: by Elaine Bradtke
The Folklore Society, 1999, 40 pages, illustrated
ISBN 0-903515-180

What is Molly dancing? Where did it come from? Who performed it and why? What did it look like? And where did the name come from? These are just some of the questions addressed in Truculent Rustics. Although it has undergone a revival in the past twenty years, the history of this little-known English display dance form is not well documented. This publication is intended to fill that gap. A history of this boisterous display dance originating in East Anglia at the Plough Monday celebrations. With illustrations and appendix.; • Information: <http://www.folklore-society.com/fls_books.htm>; • Categories: Books : History : Molly

FAQ Entry Updated: 2007-08-07

Welcome In The Spring: Morris and Sword Dances for Children: by Paul Kerlee
World Music Press, 1994
ISBN 0-937203-93-9; Instructions and music for 14 dances, with teaching notes, and glossary of steps. Sold alone or with CD containing music to all the dances.; Contents: The Morris call; The mayer's carol; Peopleton stick dance; North Skelton sword dance; Rigs O'Marlow; Bean setting; Shepherd's hey; Ring-o-bells; Bromsberrow Heath; Constant Billy (Adderbury); Constant Billy (Headington); Lads a-bunchum; Beaux of London City; Jenny Lind; The Boghouse Door; Evesham; The fool's jig.; • Available: <http://www.cdss.org/sales/english_dance.html>; • Categories: Books : Dance Notes : Sword Dancing

FAQ Entry Updated: 2004-12-07

Welsh Border Dances of Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire: by Dave Jones
Publ. by Dave Jones, 1988.; Ten Welsh border morris dances from Herefordshire, Worcestershire, and Shropshire. With information on the history, dress, and dance and music forms in this tradition.; • Available: <http://www.cdss.org/sales/english_dance.html>; • Categories: Books : Dance Notes

FAQ Entry Updated: 2004-12-07

Welsh Border Dances of Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire, 2nd edition: by Dave Jones
Publ. by Dave Jones, 1995.; A newer edition with music: Ten Welsh border morris dances from Herefordshire, Worcestershire, and Shropshire. W/information on the history, dress, and dance and music forms in this tradition.; • Available: <http://www.TheMorrisRing.org/Sales.htm>; • Available: <http://www.cdss.org/sales/english_dance.html>; • Categories: Books : Dance Notes

FAQ Entry Updated: 2004-12-07

Wraggle Taggle Gypsies: by Jack Brown
The Morris Ring, 2000; The story and notations of the Lichfield Morris dances including an account how they were collected (a subject of some controversy). Includes reproductions of original manuscript material.; • Available: <http://www.themorrisring.org/Shop.htm>; • Categories: Books : Dance Notes

FAQ Entry Updated: 2006-03-23