The King's Morris Home Page

The Morris Dancing team of King's Lynn, THE KING'S MORRIS was formed in 1978. Like most modern teams, they are a revival side; that is; a team formed in a town that does not have a tradition of Morris Dancing. THE KING'S MORRIS are a Cotswold Men's team who perform jigs and dances mainly from the Bledington, Fieldtown, Bampton, Badby, Bucknell and Adderbury 'traditions'.

The team performs in public from May until September, usually on Friday or Saturday evenings. Displays are normally given outside pubs in North West Norfolk, the evening often finishing with folk music in the bar. On Bank Holidays the team normally presents dancing tours, travelling further afield in Norfolk and performing during the day. Displays are often given at fetes, galas and other less well defined places and sometimes the team travels to various parts of England to dance with other teams.

The team has a tradition of dancing in the King's Lynn area on Boxing Day, but probably the most important day of the year is the First of May (the real May Day); the team begins it by "Dancing the Dawn Up" (a ceremonial dance to celebrate the coming of Summer and promote fertility in field, flock and mankind) at 5.20am on the roundabout at Knights Hill (the highest point in the Borough of King's Lynn).

At mid-day The King’s Morris carry the King's Lynn May Garland around the town, an old custom, performed originally by the children of the town, and revived by the dancers in 1983.

The KING'S MORRIS wear grey top hats, and their white shirts and trousers are adorned with baldrics and bell pads in the teams' colours of royal blue and golden yellow. The shields which the teams wear on their livery are the ancient coat of arms of King's Lynn and are presented to a dancer when he is considered to be competent.

	David Jackson Senior Musician and long-suffering Bagman. Probably the most well known character in the side, mainly for his aprés-dance musical renditions.
Our Dancers
	Ian Price, current Squire + longest serving dancing member of the current side.
	Martin Greaves, current Foreman, product of Silkeborg Morris (Denmark), via Hammersmith. The most technically correct dancer we have. We always claim that we taught him to get off the ground!! Now he is never on it.
	Ian Heighton, Webmaster, Member of the Illustrious Order of Fools and Beasts (certified Idiot) and Universal 6th Morris man (International Edition) Motto: "Have tankard - will travel"
	Mark Warrell, Current Treasurer , enthusiastically dancing in his 15th year with the side.
	Tim Maythan, Certified Fool and our own £6 million man, at least that's what he says he's spent on beer.
	Bob Edgar, may be better known for the saying "Mad Bobs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun".
	Ian Stinton - joined us last year. Watch out for him on the Norfolk roads on his motorbike.
	Andy Hull- new member this year. Previously danced with Ouse William & Ouse Washers
Our Musicians
	Anne Roberts, talented musician who has had links with Devils Dyke and Kemps Men (Norwich). Going for her 'lifesaver award' this year. We would have had a problem surviving without her.
	Jill Bennett - very talented fiddle and dulcimer player - 'on loan' from Kemps MM. A Diva in her own write.
Our Beast
	Izeels (our Dragon) named after Draggin' is 'eels. This is a very rare picture as he has not been seen a lot of recently due to 'foot in 'is mouth' and we cannot afford the vets bills at present. BEWARE! he is not as friendly as he looks
Hall of Infamy
	Robin Tims - plays 3-row Melodeon mainly, plus Concertinas occasionally. He played for Greenjackets Morris, and Alive and Kicking Ladies Northwest, both from Maldon, Essex before he moved to Norfolk in 2000. Still loves a music session in the pub !!!!! or anywhere else.
	Richard Humphries - taking a brief Sabbatical - not quite sure what a sabbatical is, but it sounded good.

English Morris Dancing may be the modern survival of a primitive pre-Christian ceremonial of ritual dance and drama ensuring and celebrating the renewal of Spring. This rite once flourished all over Europe and even today dances similar to the Morris can be seen in parts of France, Spain, Rumania and Portugal.

The origin of the word 'Morris' is lost in obscurity. The earliest documentary references are mainly from Church accounts in the early 1500's - "Silver paper for the Mores-dawncers - 7d". "for VI peyre of shones for ye Mors dauncers - 4d" (1509/1510). It was certainly thriving in Shakespeare's time; Will Kemp's 'Nine Daies Wonder' was a Morris marathon from London to Norwich in 1600.

One popular theory is that when the original name and meaning of the rite were no longer remembered, the dance was called Moorish or Morris because the current word at that time, for black men, was Moor. One school of thought claims the dances came from Spain having been introduced by the invading Moors. Another theory points to evidence of similar dances in England, long before the Moors, derived from the Druids' Maris dances, in celebration of the god Maris.

Certainly by Elizabethan times, the Morris was already known as an 'ancient custom', and had become established in many areas, mainly the Cotswolds, the Welsh Borders and the North West of England. It was also a favourite entertainment at Court.

These types of Morris dancing can be sub-divided into "Traditions". These "Traditions" are different styles of dancing practised by the original dance team normally based in a particular village; for example, Bledington in Gloucestershire, Fieldtown in Oxfordshire and Brackley in Northamptonshire. Thus a team could perform dances which were unique, or they might perform dances known to many Morris teams, but dance them in their own style. Many traditions have died out and Morris sides now try to recreate these styles as recorded by the collectors of folk history at the turn of the century, in order to keep alive the old traditions. A dance team may also feature a "Fool" or an "Animal" (a dancer in disguise, often as a dragon or hobby horse).

Some of the best traditional music has been preserved by the Morris Men. The pipe and tabor have been in use since ancient times; The fiddle was introduced in the 18^th Century; and the concertina and the melodeon arrived in the early 19^th Century.

An important Morris tradition is a good monetary contribution to the bag; this brings good luck and strengthens the bond between onlookers and dancers. It also helps to buy charcoal for the dragon, hay for the hobby horse and shelter for the dancers during the winter practice season.

The Officers of a Morris team are the Squire (leader), ‘Bagman’ (secretary) and the ‘Foreman’ (dance instructor)

Public Dance Programme for 2007/8

( as at 23/04/2008)

A Massive £200.00 was raised at this event for Riding for the Disabled this year. Many thanks to all those who support us, year in and year out, whatever the weather.

Sat 12th Jan 10.30am Whittlesey Straw Bear Festival - www.strawbear.org.uk

5.15 am : "Dancing the dawn up" - Knights' Hill Roundabout, South Wootton, King's Lynn followed at 12 noon by the King's Lynn May Garland Procession (PE30 5DQ) - Starting at St Margaret's Church/Saturday Market Place and then into King's Lynn town centre for 2 hours.

The King's Morris revived this old tradition in 1983, and always presents it on the REAL May Day. A large garland of flowers, greenery and beads surrounding a doll is mounted on a pole and carried about the town, accompanied by the blowing of Ox Horns.

Fridays, May - September - evening performances at pubs throughout West Norfolk commence, venues tba

with numerous guests and spurious bodies who wish to sample the delights of the Norfolk air. Followed by Folk Music in the Lifeboat Inn. (Map Link)

If you feel the desire to join in, have a desire to dress in strange attire, disport yourself with wild abandon and drink copious amounts of good ale, please contact our Bagman, David Jackson, on 01553 768930, before you get locked up by the authorities." (anon.)

Contact Information

If you feel the desire to join in, have a desire to dress in strange attire, disport yourself with wild abandon and drink copious amounts of good ale, please contact our Bagman, David Jackson, on 01553 768930, before you get locked up by the authorities." (anon.)

Early days of The King's Morris (circa 1978 - 79)
	A excellent example of 'Rigour Morris' The King's Morris (with massive support from Peterborough Morris) 'Leaping in the Leap Year' 29th February 2004 at the White Swan, South Wootton - £100.00 raised in aid of the Bryan Gunn Leukaemia Appeal (Photo courtesy of Alan Miller, Lynn News) to whom we extend our thanks
The King's Morris at the Celebration of English Dance, 2nd November 2003, Trafalgar Square
	The King's Morris at the Celebration of English Dance, 2nd November 2003, Trafalgar Square
The King's Morris during their recording for 'Feet First' (Anglia TV) 1999 at the Crown Inn, Gayton, Norfolk 2 novices had to be taught to dance in public in 6 hours Should have been retitled '2 left feet first'
	Wisbech Folk Fayre - September 1995 - The Horsefair Wisbech (Photo : EDP) We think that this is the only conclusive evidence of a Morris side having all their feet off the floor at the same time (Tantric flying). This goes with our other claim to fame as being the only Morris side to be thrown into a pub (but that's yet another story)
Dawn at Knight's Hill, 1st May 2003 Photo courtesy EDP
	The King's Morris with Silkeborg MM friends at Windham Arms, (highly recommended pub) Sheringham 2003
The King's Morris World Famous "Walking Tour" of Thornham normally takes place on the second Sunday in September . We start at 11.30 am and dance at The Old Coach House (formerly the Chequers), The Orange Tree (formerly) The King's Head and the Lifeboat on the same day with a number of guest sides joining us (some arrive by charabanc) and usually concludes with a lively pub music session in the Lifeboat (not for the faint hearted).
	"Dancing the Dawn Up" (Photo: John Hocknell, EDP) 5.25 am Knights Hill, King's Lynn (Highest point in the Borough) 1st May 2000 with the King's Lynn May Garland
Thornham Walking Tour 2004 at the Lifeboat Inn with our guests
	The King's Morris at the Silkeborg (Denmark) Ring Meeting 1996. Spot the loony on the left - our dragon, Izeels (draggin' 'is 'eels?) with guests

Welcome to The King's Morris Home Page

Sheringham 2003, with Silkeborg Morris Men

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Public Dance Programme for 2007/8

( as at 23/04/2008)

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We think that this is the only conclusive evidence of a Morris side having all their feet off the floor at the same time (Tantric flying). This goes with our other claim to fame as being the only Morris side to be thrown into a pub (but that's yet another story)

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Copyright: Some Photographs above by kind permission of Eastern Daily Press and Lynn News

who have been known to turn out in the most adverse conditions to lend their support.