Morris Dancing Collection

William Kemp or Kempe, Elizabethan comedian, 1600
William Kemp or Kempe (d1603) Elizabethan comedian who danced from Norwich to London in 1599, (1600). Here Kemp, with bells on his legs, is dancing the Morris

Lichfield "Greenhill Bower" - the Morris Dancers, 1850. Creator: Unknown
Lichfield "Greenhill Bower" - the Morris Dancers, 1850. Annual tradition: This very ancient festival was celebrated...with more than its usual ceremonies

Lichfield "Greenhill Bower" on Whit-Monday - the Procession passing the Statue of Dr. Johnson, 1850. Annual tradition, procession of knights in armour

Titlepage to William Kemps Nine Days Wonder, published in 1600 (woodcut)
XJF377220 Titlepage to William Kemps Nine Days Wonder, published in 1600 (woodcut) by English School, (17th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

The Rose (b / w photo)
3626603 The Rose (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Rose. A Morris from the Cotswolds danced by members of the English Folk Dance Society)

Piazza del Mercato Vecchio, Florence, 1555 (fresco)
BEN82457 Piazza del Mercato Vecchio, Florence, 1555 (fresco) by Straet, Jan van der (Joannes Stradanus) (1523-1605); Palazzo Vecchio (Palazzo della Signoria) Florence

Ornamental Engraving with Morris Dancers. Creator: Israhel van Meckenem
Ornamental Engraving with Morris Dancers

The Old English Folk Dance Society performing the sword dance at Stratford Upon Avon. Musical accompaniment provided by the accordion. West Midlands. 2nd August 1948

Morris Men at a wedding in South Bank, Middlesbrough. 1971

Dancing to the tune of 1 / 2 million Examiner Bodyscanner Appeal are
Dancing to the tune of 1/2 million Examiner Bodyscanner Appeal are the Huddersfield-based White Rose Morris Men. They are holding a series of Wednesday evening dancing sessions at pubs around

Saltburns Smugglers Heritage Centre has been open one year, Yorkshire coast Morris dancers Trina and Graham Price help with the celebrations. 18th April 1993

Morris dancers performing outside the George Inn at St Briavels during the Forest Of Dean Morris Festival at St Briavels in Gloucestershire, Citrca May 1963

Morris dancers performing outside the George Inn at St Briavels during the Forest Of Dean Morris Festival at St Briavels in Gloucestershire

Festival of Dean morris festival at St. Briavels, Gloucestershire Morris dancers in a crocodile costume outside the Whitbread owned The George public house

Morris dancers enterraining a traffic warden in Newcastle in 1976

Durham Miners Gala - Morris dancers join in on the fun

Girls morris dancing, Cosway Street Evening Institute for Women, London, 1914. Dancing in pairs with bells around their knees

Girls morris dancing in playground, Thomas Street Girls School, Limehouse, Stepney, London, 1908. A group of girls in traditional costume dance in the school playground

The May Tree (oil on panel)
XIR204955 The May Tree (oil on panel) by French School, (16th century); Musee de la Ville de Paris, Musee Carnavalet, Paris, France; (add.info.: l Arbre de Mai ou l Orme du Mai; ); French

Morris dancing by the village green in Ide Hill, Kent. 1970

Morris Dancing in the street in Dorset, England, UK 1960 s

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"Morris Dancing: A Timeless Tradition of Rhythmic Revelry" Step back in time to the Elizabethan era, where the comedic genius William Kemp or Kempe delighted audiences with his lively performances. The title page of his publication "Nine Days Wonder, " adorned with a captivating woodcut from 1600, captures the essence of this vibrant dance form. Traveling further across Europe, we find ourselves in Florence's Piazza del Mercato Vecchio, where a mesmerizing fresco from 1555 depicts Morris dancers gracefully moving to an enchanting melody. Israhel van Meckenem's ornamental engravings from around 1490/1500 also showcase these spirited performers, their costumes and movements intricately captured for posterity. Fast forward to more recent times and witness the joyous spirit transcending generations. In London during 1914, girls at Cosway Street Evening Institute embraced this age-old tradition as they twirled and stepped with grace and enthusiasm. Similarly, Thomas Street Girls School in Limehouse witnessed playful Morris dancing in their playground back in 1908. The Old English Folk Dance Society continues to honor this heritage by performing traditional sword dances at Stratford Upon Avon – Shakespeare's birthplace resonating with echoes of merriment through each rhythmic beat. Even weddings became infused with the magic of Morris dancing; South Bank Middlesbrough witnessed its charm firsthand in 1971. As time marches on, new chapters are written within this timeless tale. From Saltburns Smugglers Heritage Centre celebrating its first year open to the public to countless individuals joining together for charitable causes like Examiner Bodyscanner Appeal – all while swaying harmoniously to the tune of half a million participants. Morris dancing remains an enduring symbol of community spirit and cultural preservation. Its infectious energy brings people together across centuries and continents alike – a testament to humanity's innate desire for joy, unity, and celebration.