It should also be pointed out that there are many different types of Morris. The popular view is of Cotswold Morris with it's white kit, hankies and flat shoes. There is also the North West clog tradition. Almost military precision and many progressive dances. Border Morris is quite wild and exciting to watch. Molly dancing is primarily east Midlands and east Anglia. Rapper is mainly North East and, to my mind, a real treat. Longsword seems to stem from Yorkshire and is symbolised by the longsword star that is the symbol of Morris in many places. There are many other traditions that do not fit in anywhere. Bacup 'nutters'; Abbots Bromley horn dance; Abram Circle (that I used to dance) and many more! There was a distinctly male only ethos amongst some but, to my mind, that is thankfully gone and some of the best teams I have seen have been mixed or ladies.

You have opened up a whole world of research, olddude, and I hope you enjoy your journey. Only believe a fraction of what you hear, half of what you see and some of what friends tell you :-) Enjoy the spectacle, music and stories and it will all be worthwhile.

Cheers

DtG