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Abbots Bromley Horn Dance
The Abbots Bromley Horn Dance is a unique and intriguing folk dance that takes place once a year in Staffordshire in the village of Abbots Bromley. The first recorded reference to the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance is in Robert Plot's Natural History of Staffordshire that was written in 1686, however carbon dating has been performed on a pair of antlers and it has confirmed that the dance dates back to at least the 11th century. It is believed to be an Anglo-Saxon tradition that has survived through into modern times, with the exception of a small period when it was discontinued during the Commonwealth years.
A large number of visitors flock to Abbots Bromley to witness the Horn Dance each year, the Horn Dance itself takes place on the village green alongside Morris dancing and a variety of other activities. The Abbots Bromley Horn Dance takes place on Wakes Monday, the first Monday after September 4th. It commences at 08:00 in the morning and is blessed in a service at St Nicholas Church where the horns are kept. The dancing begins on the village green and proceeds out of the village to Blightfield Hall. The dance continues throughout the day to return to the village in the afternoon making its way around local pubs and houses.
At 20:00 the horns are returned to the church and another service takes place. There are 12 dancers involved in the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance, six carrying the horns and an accordion playing musician, a man dressed as Maid Marian, a Hobby-horse, a fool, a youngster with a bow and arrow, and another youngster with a triangle. Traditionally the dancers were always members of the Bentley family, however this practice has ceased in the 19th century with the dance passing to the Fowell family. The horns that are used in the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance are actually six sets of reindeer antlers that date back to 1065.
The antlers are mounted on small heads carved from wood. Since 1981,
the horns are legally the property of Abbots Bromley Parish Council.
For 364 days a year, they are on display in St Nicholas Church. They
were once kept in the main Village Hall, which is now the Goat Inn,
beside the Butter Cross. An alternative set of antlers (red deer) are
kept to use when the Dancers are asked, as they are, frequently, to
perform outside the Parish boundaries.
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