Morris-dance

Morris-dance, a rustic dance, formerly an accompaniment to the May-day games and Whitsun-ales, probably of Moorish origin. Douce conjectures it was introduced into England by John of Gaunt on his return from Spain; but Strutt maintained that the Morisco or Moor dance differed from the morris-dance in England, having been accompanied with castanets or rattles at the end of the fingers, and not with bells attached to various parts of the dress. The principal performers of the morris-dance were Robin Hood, Maid Marian, the hobby-horse, and the Bavian or fool.