Morris dancing is the traditional folk dance of England. Its origins are lost in the mists of time, but written references go back over 500 years. It is mentioned, for example in Shakespeare. As far as can be determined, it is not Celtic in origin, and it should not, therefore, be confused with the traditional dances of Scotland, Ireland or Wales.

The most widespread and perhaps best known form of Morris dance is the "Cotswold" style, which (as its name implies) originates in the Cotswolds, which is the area including Oxfordshire and surrounding counties. Cotswold Morris dance is ususlly a set dance for six persons. During the dance distinctive dance steps and hand movements are combined with movements of dancers, either in pairs, or as the whole set. The dancers emphasize hand movements with handkerchiefs or wooden sticks. Bells are worn below the knees.

Individual styles have been collected from more than 20 different Cotswold villages, with each village having a repetoire of 1-20 dances. Originally, Morris dancers would wear either their "best" clothes, or, if they could afford it, whites. All modern Morris dance sides have distinctive kits, or uniforms, often based on white shirt and trousers, but gaily decorated with ribbons, baldricks, waistcoats etc.

Morris dancing is also (more loosely) used to include other traditional English folk dancing such as sword dance, rapper dance, Molly dancing and the clog dances of northern England.

Morris dancing almost died out about 100 years ago, but Cecil Sharp saw the Headington Quarry Morris Men dancing one Boxing Day (they were unemployed, and were trying to raise a bit of cash). He instigated a revival which is still going on. There is now a very active Morris dance scene all over England, and it has been taken up enthusiastically elsewhere. There are over 100 sides active in North America.

Green Fiddle Morris is a Cotswold Morris dance side. It was started in Toronto, Ontario in 1977. As of 2000 we do dances from the Badby, Bampton, Bledington, Fieldtown and Lichfield traditions. We are a mixed side, while other sides are limited to either men or women only. (One version of the tradition is that Morris should only be danced by men).

If you are interested in learning more about this unusual pursuit, you are could watch one of our public performances. We perform from 1st May through Labour Day weekend at various places.

If you are interested in learning the dance, or in playing music, we practice from September through April at the Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick Avenue, on Monday nights. We are always interested in new members. For the last few years we have run a six week beginners course in the fall, at the Tranzac club, on Monday evenings. This is open to anyone who wants to learn Cotswold Morris Dancing. Contact us (see below) for further details.

We have several performances scheduled, including the Toronto Morris Ale on Labour Day weekend. More information about our current schedule, including times and locations is available.

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