Morrisdance

Morris-dance a peculiar and fantastic species of dance, constituting the chief enjoyment at parochial festivals in England, was commonly practiced in the Middle Ages, and continues to the present day among the country people in different parts of England. Its origin is ascribed to the Moors, though the genuine Moorish dance (the fandango of the present day) bears little resemblance to it. The chief performer was the hobbyhorse, so called from the light frame of wicker-work which was fastened around its body, and supplied with a pasteboard head and neck, so as to give it the appearance of a man on horseback. Bells were also attached to its ankles, and the great art consisted in so moving the feet as to produce a rude kind of concord. The other principal actors, after a fashion, personified the characters of Maid Marian, the Queen of the May, Robin Hood, Friar Tuck, the Fool, etc.; and the performance was accompanied by rude music and the clashing of swords and staves.