morris dance

English folk dance. The dances take different forms and various theories about the origin of morris dancing have been put forward. These include the claim that it originated in pagan fertility rites, that it was imported to England in the 15th century as a European court entertainment, and that it was a staple of springtime church and village festivals. Shakespeare refers to it as a dance for festivals, as well as referring to the dancers as ‘Moriscos’, which may indicate a moorish influence via Spain. Today morris dancers still appear at public and local festivals, and may have bells, handkerchiefs, or sticks as their props.