The Arts In Berwick -- Music
Sword dancing

The stylized execution of the 'fool' in the northern sword dance lead early folklorists to look for its origin in ancient fertility rituals. But there is really no evidence that sword dances were performed in England before the 18th.C.

Most of the traditional sword dances occurred south of the Borough around Hexham. Sometimes sword-dances are combined with elements of the traditional hero-combat 'mummers' play. Examples of these plays, performed at Christmas have been recorded at Belford and Ford, while one at Wooler was staged at Halloween.

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