The Mediaeval Period is usually defined as AD 1000 - AD 1500.

Early references to Morris are contained in The Annals of Early Morris by Michael Heany and John Forrest and The History of Morris Dancing, 1458-1750 by John Forrest from which some of the following is taken.

The first unequivocal reference to a morris dance is from a will in 1458 (as mentioned before) and there are only two other references in the 15th century (1477 the Drapers' Guild paid 27s 9d for dancers, 1494 Henry VII's accounts record an "Item for Pleying of the mourice dance"). There is also a mention of a Moresk on a silver cup in 1458 and accounts for costume for a Moruske in 1466.

I can find an item in a 1515 church record containing "item for met & drink for ye mores dauncers vpon feyer day" and a 1556 record of Whitsuntide fair - "Item payed for the morrysdauncers and the mynstrelles mete and drink".


Going back to the discussions on NW dancing. Extensive records from the early 20th century collectors are kept in the Manchester Morris Archive. Although there are early (c1600) references to morris in e.g. Chester, there dosn't appear to be a direct link to the appearance of NW dancing as we know it today. (I was the Manchester Morris archivist for a while).

Mitch