The morris dance (named from the Moorish Morisco) is a traditional English folk dance characterised by the gay costumes of the men who take part adorned with bells and holding staves which they clash together. According to Brewer, the Morris dance was brought to England by John of Gaunt in the reign of Edward III from Spain, where it was a military dance performed by the Moors under the name the Moriscos. Other sources cite the morris dance as a fertility rite, encouraging the crops to grow.
In England the morris dance was performed at puppet-shows, May games etc and was very popular during the reigns of Henry VII and Henry VIII when it was a principal feature of the popular festivals. In the May games of Robin Hood, and the pageant of the Lord of Misrule, morris-dancers formed an important part. The more ancient May game and morris consisted of the following characters: Robin Hood, Little John, Friar Tuck, Maid Marian, the queen or lady of the May, the fool, the piper, and several dancers variously dressed. A hobby-horse and a dragon were afterwards added. In the reign of Henry VIII, were dressed in gilt-lrather and silver paper, and sometimes in coats of white and spangled fustian. Bells to the number of thirty of forty hung from their garters, and purses were stuck in their girdles.
The morris is danced in variations around England, each area having its own style. The morris waned over the years and was almost extinct by the start of the 19th century. In 1934 the Morris Ring was formed in England by six of the revival sides in order to 'encourage the dancing of the morris and the preservation of its traditions'. The morris ring extended during the course of the 20th century, reaching several hundred member groups by the end of 2005. Research Morris Dance
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Research Morris Dance