Rock & Roll Grenoside

Grenoside in South Yorkshire has a long standing tradition of sword dancing. The highlight of the dance is the 'decapitation' of the leader (they knock off his rabbit skin hat), after which he comes back to life. J.G Frazer would have a field day. The dance still happens, by the way, on Boxing Day each year.

Perhaps I should have let you know that in December. At least you're prewarned for this year.

Rappers

The High Spen Sword Dancers get their swerve on. High Spen is near Newcastle, and this is rapper sword dancing, i.e. the swords are shorter. Oh, this is circa 1928.

Day Of The Long Knives

A traditional sword dance from North Skelton in Cleveland. Note the ever present menace of the terrifying bearded bumpkin. I'm pretty sure that this is the Betsy, or Fool, and he's wearing a costume especially for the dance, but you can never be sure and, in any case, he would make a great horror film villain. Imagine that outside your window.