Contrary Life

Contrary Life is a website covering quirky events across the UK.

  • Home
  • About
  • Events by region
    • North East
    • North West
    • Yorkshire
    • East Midlands
    • West Midlands
    • East
    • London
    • South East
    • South West
    • Scotland
    • Northern Ireland
    • Wales
Home > Dance > A curious horn dance with Maid Marian, a hobby horse and a fool

A curious horn dance with Maid Marian, a hobby horse and a fool

By Caroline King - September 8, 2018Posted in : Dance, Heritage, TOP-STORY

Abbots Bromley Horn Dance - Staffordshire

Abbots Bromley Horn Dance

When: 10th September 2018

Where: Abbots Bromley, Staffordshire

£: Free to watch

What is it?

The Abbots Bromley Horn Dance is a local custom carried out annually in the Staffordshire Village, with traditional dancing and music.

This ancient tradition which involves dancing around the village using reindeer antlers, with a hobby horse and a fool in tow, dates back to the Middle Ages. It is unknown exactly when the custom was first carried out, or why, but it still attracts curious visitors to the village.

The Horn Dance takes place annually on Wakes Monday, which this year is on 10th September, and is performed at various locations around the village and surrounding area.  The dancers are made up of deer men, a bowman, a fool, and Maid Marian.  Not to mention a hobby horse, the infamous antlers, and a melodian player providing the music.

The dancing usually begins in the morning, just after 8am on the green, and carries on until 8pm, calling at various pubs including The Royal Oak, The Goats Head and The Crown.

More info: www.abbotsbromley.com/horn_dance

Related Posts

  • Join The Sheriff for Lichfield's annual custom

Tagged With: Family events, Free events, Staffordshire events, West Midlands

Curiosity of the Week

Woodhenge, Stonehenge’s lesser-known neighbour
Woodhenge - ©English Heritage, Historic England Photo Library

You have heard of Stonehenge in Wiltshire, but have you heard of its lesser known neighbour, Woodhenge? Find out more in our latest Curiosity of the Week…

Top Story

Make some noise for Whitby’s Krampus Run
Whitby Krampus Run 2018 - photo by Cassandra Sutton

As Father Christmas makes his annual visit to towns across the UK this weekend, there’s another, much darker character making his way to Whitby in North Yorkshire…

What are you looking for today?

  • Alternative Sport
  • Art
  • Cabaret and Circus
  • Cinema
  • Classes, Workshops & Talks
  • Club Night
  • Comedy
  • Dance
  • Exhibitions and Installations
  • Fairs and Markets
  • Festival
  • Food & Drink
  • Heritage and History
  • Interview
  • Literature
  • Museum
  • Music
  • Nature and Outdoors
  • Review
  • Science and Technology
  • Theatre
  • Walks and Tours

Sign up to our Newsletter

Copyright © 2023 · Contrary Life