Online Exhibition: Steps, Sticks and Swords – The Story of Doncaster’s Morris Men – Objects and Gallery
Costume
Objects
Fool plough
Green Oak Morris Men built this ‘fool plough’ when they performed under the name East Yorkshire Vessel Cuppers.
Vessel Cuppers were ploughhands who acted the ‘fool’ on Plough Monday. With their plough, they sung songs and scared village folk in their eccentric costumes.
Mummer’s play
Mummer’s plays are one of the oldest surviving features of the traditional English Christmas, going back over a thousand years.
The plays are an early form of pantomime based on the legend of St George and the Dragon.
The characters vary from play to play, but the hero is always St George. He fights the powers of evil, traditionally represented by the dragon and Beelzebub.
The plays humorously represent the struggles between good and evil, and death and resurrection.
Under the name of Doncaster Mummers, Green Oak Morris Men’s play also includes Father Christmas, a Doctor, the King of Egypt and a Turkish Knight – all dressed in spectacular disguises.
Gerald R Sables
Gerald was a full time photography student at Granville College in Sheffield, studying for a BTEC between 1984 to 1986.
As part of a course project, he chose Green Oak Morris because A: it combined his love of tradition and B: because he thought it would be visually interesting.
He has remained in touch with the team and photographed them many times in various locations and made many friends as a result.
It is a friendship and relationship that has lasted almost 40 years and he has enjoyed every moment of it.
RAF Finningley Street Party 1986, Copyright Gerald R Sables
Green Oak were invited to dance at RAF Finningley to entertain the officers (especially their children) and Gerald was invited to attend.
The officers not only provided food but also free home brew beer, which was very strong – something that had not been anticipated. So it’s somewhat of a surprise to find these images not only well composed but also in focus!
Photographs (c) Gerald R Sables 2024
Practice, Copyright Gerald R Sables
Green Oak practice most weeks throughout the year. Over time, they have used various venues for their practice sessions.
These photographs were taken over a period of several weeks during 1985/86, at the Sea Scouts Hut next to Doncaster Minster. Afterwards they would all retire to the Masons Arms for well-earned refreshment.
Dance Outs
Although traditionally Morris is only danced on May 1st, these days Morris Dancers perform all year round.
Green Oak not only dance in the Doncaster area, but also all over Britain and also abroad. They have also performed at weddings and at Christmas time they perform their traditional Mummers Play. Here are a selection of photographs taken at various dance outs over the years.
Photographs copyright Gerald R Sables, 2024