Women have been morris dancing since the Middle Ages; and anyone who says differently doesn't know any better. New Esperance Morris have been a female side in London since the 1970s, and we draw on the heritage of Mary Neal's Esperance Dancers.

Cecil Sharp and Mary Neal were simultaneously instrumental in the 20th century revival of morris dancing. Though while Neal and the Esperance Guild were teaching morris to groups of ordinary people and allowing it to develop, Sharp attempted to standardise everything, and considered morris an 'expert' dance to be taught to individuals.

Cliff Stevens' Explanation

According to the Pilgrim Morris Men

Finally, something slightly less 'historical' - Bampton Bugle

Here are some sides we have fun dancing with

We also love to dance at ceilidhs

Assorted Esps are usually to be found at the regular Knees Up ceilidh at Cecil Sharp House in Camden, central London. Some of the musicians amongst us are members of the famously footstomping ceilidh band Panjandrum. 

Morris dancers are not all old!! We have members of all ages and young morris dancers may be found all over England, from Sheffield's female team Pecsaetan to Icknield Way Morris Men of Oxfordshire. Traditional folk dance is a part of the National Curriculum and Laurel Swift along with Morris Offspring are bringing high energy morris dance to schools as well as performing all over the country.

And now, there is even a Morris Movie - prepare yourselves for the all-star cast of Morris: A Life with Bells On to hit a cinema screen near you. Keep up with the latest reports on the widely reported but sadly mistaken Morris Extinction here.