Longsword
Longsword
Where
The Longsword tradition is based in Yorkshire. Traditional teams with a long history still perform the dances here. These dances were probably the descendents of a wider European sword-dance tradition which Longsword and Rapper have evolved from.
Context
English sword dancing is not done with actual swords. The swords were probably occupational (work) tools, such as the ones used to fix fishing nets. Longswords tend to be longer than Rapper swords and are also rigid or inflexible, they do not bend. Several sword teams in the past had a Captain who was dressed differently from the dancers. In some performances the Captain is “beheaded” by the other dancers. In England sword dancing dates back to the 1700s and most of these performances seem to have been linked to Plough Monday customs which were celebrated across England in January (see Molly). The dancers would accompany the plough boys that went through the village asking for money from householders. This was done when the weather was bad and there was no work to do on the farms. The Goathland Plough Stot team as their name suggests are still linked to this annual custom. They have two teams who dress in either pink or blue tunics. The colours date back to the 1800s and the musicians who play for both teams wear half pink and half blue tunics. It is widely believed that the colours used to represent different political parties but now pink and blue are worn because they are traditional.
Ribbons and Rosettes
The earlier references to sword costumes often refer to the dancers wearing ribbons and rosettes over a shirt. This is very similar to many other costumes worn for dancing through the 18th and early 19th century. The Grenoside team have team jackets dating back to the late 19th century which have often been red in colour, with a distinctive pattern known as paisley. These are often decorated with rosettes or gathered strips of fabric. In their latest design, which was created by a professional theatre department in 2007 the decorative element is toned down for modern tastes.
Uniforms
Military style uniforms appear to have been added in the late 19th century. The Victorians loved to dress up and perhaps it seemed appropriate for a sword dance that the dancers should be dressed as soldiers. The Handsworth team wear a copy of the uniform which the team wore in the 1900s. It is very smart and distinctive and certainly adds to the performance of the dance. The modern Flamborough team wear replicas of fisherman’s occupational clothing from the 1900s, a thick knitted jumper called a gansey, white trousers and knitted hat. This is very distinctive and demonstrates the fishing heritage and industry of that area. Like the Goathland team the Flamborough team recruit dancers from the local area, it is very important to them that the dance is kept alive locally. All the team costumes discussed here are distinctive, they are a very important part of team and in some cases local identity.
Key words
Captain, custom/s, gansey, gathered, military, occupational, paisley, Plough Monday, ribbons, rosettes, uniform.
