Morris Dancing FAQs

Cervantes and the Morris: Not only did Shakespeare mention morris dancing, but his Spanish contemporary, Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra (1547-1616), did too. Sort of. While there are several actual references in Don Quixote to morris dancing, most of them passages chosen in this web page deal with sword dancing.; • Homepage: <http://web.syr.edu/~rsholmes/morris/cervantes.html>; • Maintainer: Richard Holmes [Contact Form]; • Categories: Literary References

Jonson and the Morris: Ben Jonson (1573?-1637) has two references to morris dancing in his books and plays, which are excerpted on this web page.; • Homepage: <http://web.syr.edu/~rsholmes/morris/jonson.html>; • Maintainer: Richard Holmes [Contact Form]; • Categories: Literary References

Kemps nine daies vvonder: A web e-text edition of William Kemp's famous pamphlet recounting a nine day dancing exhibition he undertook in 1600. "Performed in a Morrice from London to Norwich. Wherein euery dayes iourney is pleasantly set downe, to satisfie his friends the truth, against all lying Ballad-makers; what he did, how hee was welcome, and by whome entertained." Part of "Renascence Editions : An Online Repository of Works Printed in English Between the Years 1477 and 1799".; • Homepage: <http://www.uoregon.edu/~rbear/kemp.html>; • 400th Anniversary: <http://www.ukppg.co.uk/9daiesmorris2000.html>; • Categories: History : Literary References

Pratchett and the Morris: Terry Pratchett (1948-) is an English author, mainly of humorous fantasy novels; his most popular books are the Discworld series, taking place on a flat world that rides on the backs of four elephants that stand on the back of a giant turtle that flies through space. Read enough Pratchett and you start to notice something: a lot of references to morris dancing. This page excerpts the morris-related passages from his books.; • Homepage: <http://web.syr.edu/~rsholmes/morris/pratchett.html>; • Maintainer: Richard Holmes [Contact Form]; • Categories: Literary References

Shakespeare and the Morris: Among the earliest references to Morris dancing are those made by William Shakespeare (1564-1616), who, in "All's Well that Ends Well" (II.ii.21), makes it clear that the Morris dance was commonly performed on May Day (May 1). This page excerpts passages from Shakespeare's plays; • Homepage: <http://web.syr.edu/~rsholmes/morris/shakespeare.html>; • Maintainer: Richard Holmes [Contact Form]; • Categories: Literary References