As Morris sides go, Charlbury Morris is relatively new, having been established in 1984 by men of the town responding to a request for traditional entertainment at a local wedding. It was taught by Dave Rogers, an ‘Ancient Man’† who instructed and played for the fledgling side. From those early roots Morris dancing took hold in Charlbury and has continued ever since.
In 2000 Charlbury Morris incorporated the dancers and musicians of Finstock Morris, a more ancient side that had encountered the difficulties of recruitment that plague so many contemporary sides. In honour of their long tradition you might notice us being introduced as ‘Finstock and Charlbury Morris’ in certain parts of the shire.
Charlbury Morris dances in the Cotswold Morris style that is based on the traditions from local villages as recorded by the legendary Cecil Sharp in the early 20th century. Of the various local traditions we dance primarily the Fieldtown tradition, which is probably the dominant style of Morris dancing today and happens to be our local tradition.
Fieldtown is the collective name for a group of villages around Leafield, including Finstock and Minster Lovell. Named La Felde by the Normans, Leafield did not acquire its current name until the 18th century and no longer has a Morris side. Today Charlbury Morris is the only active side in the Fieldtown district and it rightly endeavours to uphold that tradition while also dancing a variety of other traditions.
What are the origins of Morris? Although the origins are obscure and disputed, Morris dancing in England seems to date back to the 15th century and probably has roots in a style of dancing called Moorish (from the Moors) that emerged in Europe even earlier. Volumes have been written on the origins of Morris dancing, but for a quick summary we would refer you to the Wikipedia entry linked from our links page.
Charlbury is a vigorous side (or tries to be) favouring dances with strong rhythms and a good pace. To the untrained eye Morris dances may all look the same but the traditions differ markedly in both their overall patterns and the details of the stepping, stick clashing and hanky action. Listed below under their respective traditions are the dances that we currently do.
Fieldtown
Ascott-under-Wychwood
Adderbury
Bampton-in-the-Bush
Headdington Quarry
Hinton-in-the-Hedges
Lichfield
Charlbury (We invented this one.)
† The Ancient Men are former Oxford University Morris Men (little men) who assemble for May Morning in Oxford to start the summer Morris season and dance short tours in England and elsewhere.