I wrote..."The Yorkshire Tradition is pre-dated by references to Sword Dancing in Lancashire."
Les in Chorlton wrote..............
"This does ring a bell, but what is the evidence"?
This is taken from "Blundell's Diary & Letter Book"
Jan 6th 1712 "We had a Merry Night. Rich Tatlock played here. We had a great many Danses. They dansed my Sword Danse"............there is also a reference to teaching an 8 man Sword Dance which was performed at the finishing of his Marl-pit. (not sure of the year but I can check)
I am told that this pre-dates Yorkshire references.
Cheers
Les