There are currently 4 types of dancing that our guilde participates
in. You will notice that the word "scholarship" is often set up
as a link. Click on it, and you will be taken to our research pages for
direct references.
Country Dancing:
This seems to be most related to modern square dancing,
although there is no caller for the steps. There is much twirling and
spinning with your partner. It is most excellent. (Party on,
Duke!) While the complete scholarship of country dancing has yet to be
pursued by us, it is our current superficial belief that this type of dancing
was an opportunity for the town and country folks to present themselves as
potential mates. Performing the correct steps was not as important as
proving oneself. The gents were put to the task for their stamina to see
how healthy they were. The ladies presented themselves as suitable
candidates for other activities, such as childbearing. It has been said to
me the bum roll (a padding the ladies wore around their waists below the skirts)
developed to enhance the look of childbearing hips, much in the same fashion
padded shoulders are worn today.
Morris Dancing
Morris dancing is a style of synchronized dancing that
is said to have developed out of the pagan rituals that were replaced by the
Christian rituals. There are many styles of morris dancing using a range
of props, from sticks to handkerchiefs to bells. They are vigorous and athletic,
at times involving a fool-type character who tries to distract the dancers from
their task. Again, our scholarship is not very deep. We will provide
more information as we learn more things. However, that didn't stop us
from trying to perform some of the dances we have found in books and on the
'net.
Sword Dancing
This is another style of synchronized dance in which swords
are clashed. There are hints if it being, also, of pagan origin.
Some of the research we have found talks about sword dances ending with mock
beheadings and resurrections. One of our performers has also found a more
practical reason for their development. It seems that the brandishing of
weapons was illegal in certain places. Therefore, the dances developed as
a way to practice while circumventing the laws. I have not seen the
scholarship on this, but I like the idea.
Maypole Dancing
I could go on and on about the true pagan connotations
of women dancing with strips of cloth around a huge pole, but that could get my
website pulled off the air. Let us just say that maypole dancing has its
origins in . . . uh . . . fertility rituals. So, it goes without saying
that maypole dancing should be both sensual and ecstatic. (Please, don't
delete the messenger!)
The Music
If you are only interested in our versions of the music, go
to this link. You will find .wav and .mid files as well as printable score
sheets. Where the material is copyrighted, there will be a link set up to
contact the copyright holder for permission to use the material or where to
purchase it. This includes the .wav and .mid files! We ain't Napster,
here. Some folks worked hard on these arrangements and deserve the few
pennies they would earn from a sale.