I did hear once that a very early, mediaeval mention of morris dancers is in a church record somewhere and cites the payment of something like "10 pence for ale for the morris dancers".

I can't for the life of me remember where or when it was supposed to have been, but I read it in a book, and it is so long ago that I can't remember which book, either. (Bit useless, really!)

It's interesting that in Nottinghamshire there is a 16th century record of dancers accompanying the procession of representatives from parishes in the Southwell diocese as they travelled around Whitsuntide from the city of Nottingham to the minster to pay the "Southwell pence". This was the annual money paid to cover the cost of the minster. Given that the minster is Norman, it'd be interesting to know when exactly the dancers started to accompany the procession. Dolphin Morris Men revivied the "Gate to Southwell" around 1981. I don't know if it's still on, but the 22 miles was done in relays by the local sides, representing their parishes. On arrival, having been met by the Dean, and after the presentation of the "pence" (in old pennies), there was a short service in the transept, and Glorishears was danced by representatives from 6 of the sides. It's the only time I've seen morris danced inside a church building!

I've got an encyclopaedia of folk customs - Encyclopaedia of Popular Customs by W S Walsh, published 1898. It covers feasts and festivals from all over the world. Morris Dancers are mentioned only once, under a lage section on May Day, as accompanying Robin Hood and his men. There's an awful lot about other May traditions. How things changed after 1899!

Andrea