An old engraving of Morris dancing, an early form of English folk dance usually accompanied by music. One man in this illustration wears a hobby horse and a musician is seen on the left


An old engraving of Morris dancing, an early form of English folk dance usually accompanied by music. It is based on rhythmic stepping by a group of dancers, usually in costume with bell pads on their shins. Items such as sticks, swords and handkerchiefs were also be used by the dancers. One man in this illustration wears a hobby horse. A musician is seen on the left. The earliest known English mention of Morris dancing dates to 1448. The dance also relates to sword dancing, guising and other dancing activities, as well as mumming plays. The tradition has seen a revival in recent times.


Size: 3002px × 2324px
Location: UK
Photo credit: © M&N / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: ages, bell, bells, black, britain, british, costume, dance, dancer, dancers, dancing, dress, dressing, early, england, english, engraving, folk, great, group, guising, handkerchief, historical, history, hobbie, hobby, horse, hundreds, illustration, medieval, middle, minstrel, morris, mummer, mummers, mumming, music, musician, play, stick, sword, tradition, traditional, troupe, uk, wear, white