What is the origin of Morris dancing?
Many of the public have clear expectations about this question. They want the Morris to be shrouded in primeval mist and preferably to be associated with fertility rites, akin to copulating in the new- ploughed furrows (bloody cold, in January!). If this is what makes them happy, I am inclined to let them have it: they’ll put more in the pig, go home satisfied, and in any case won’t believe any historically more accurate explanation like ‘nobody really knows’. You can elaborate on their nascent theories by quoting the case of ‘Bean Setting’, a (probably fairly recent) Cotswold dance, totally unlike anything the Knots do, in which sticks are banged on the ground in clear imitation of a gardener setting out her runners. If you get someone who is actually interested enough to explore possibilities, you can probably make it up between you using the following information ad lib. • The word ‘Morris’ is thought to derive from a corruption of ‘Moorish’ i.e. the sort of dancing which was brough
