The Sword Dance
Relation of Sword Dance, Morris Dance, and Mumming Play. Their
Ceremonial origin now admitted by scholars. Connected with seasonal
Festivals and Fertility Ritual. Earliest Sword Dancers, the Maruts. Von
Schroeder, _Mysterium und Mimus_. Discussion of their nature and
functions. The Kouretes. Character of their dance. Miss J. E. Harrison,
Themis. The Korybantes. Dance probably sacrificial in origin. The
Salii. Dramatic element in their dance. Mars, as Fertility god.
Mamurius Veturius. Anna Perenna. Character of dance seasonal. Modern
British survivals. The Sword Dance. Mostly preserved in North.
Variants. Mr E. K. Chambers, _The Medieval Stage_. The Mumming Plays.
Description. Characters. Recognized as representing Death and Revival
of Vegetation Deity. Dr Jevons, _Masks and the Origin of the Greek
Drama_. Morris Dances. No dramatic element. Costume of character
significant. Possible survival of theriomorphic origin. Elaborate
character of figures in each group. Symbols employed. The Pentangle.
The Chalice. Present form shows dislocation. Probability that three
groups were once a combined whole and Symbols united. Evidence
strengthens view advanced in last Chapter. Symbols originally a group
connected with lost form of Fertility Ritual. Possible origin of Grail
Knights to be found in Sword Dancers.