Abbots Bromley Horn Dance

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Date:September 1909

Description:Horn Dancers performing on the lawn at the Vicarage, Abbots Bromley.

The horn dance is an annual event which takes place on the first Monday after the first Sunday after the 4th of September. The tradition is believed to date back to 1226 when it was part of a three day event celebrating St. Bartholomew's Day (24th August), although the earliest documentary evidence is Robert Plot's description of 1686.

There are usually 11 performers. Six dancers dressed in green jackets, breeches and green stockings, three carrying white painted reindeer horns, the other three, black horns. In addition there are the Fool, the Hobby-horse, Maid Marion, a cross-bow bearer (often a small boy), and a melodeon player.

Photograph by the Rev. C.F.L. Barnwell (1853-1933) who was Vicar of Stramshall from 1879 to 1933, and who was a keen amateur historian and photographer.

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Creators: Rev C.F.L. Barnwell - Creator

Image courtesy of: Rev O.G. Ede

Donor ref:p82.018.184 (37/41047)

Source: Staffordshire Museum Service

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