Recent books – borrow or buy


Related link: Books and CDs for sale from the Morris Federation


Here are some recent books you can borrow from our lending library, or buy your own copy, or buy one for the morris, sword, or clog person in your life.


rapper-sword-dance-in-america-by-rhett-krause-book-cover‘Rapper Sword Dance in America’, by Rhett Krause

ISBN 979-8-218-41766-6.  First published 2024.

Available in the UK on a limited release from the Morris Federation for £30, plus £5.60 P&P to UK addresses. Email bells@morrisfed.org.uk or use our online Contact Form and select ‘Bells & Merchandise’.

Proceeds of the book sales will be used to purchase rapper swords for the Morris Federation’s Schools Kit Bags for teaching under 18’s.

For more info see: https://www.morrisfed.org.uk/merchandise/cds-books/

Available to purchase in the USA at: https://rappersworddanceinamerica.com/


Mary Neal by Kathryn Atherton book cover‘Mary Neal and the Suffragettes Who Saved Morris Dancing’ by Kathryn Atherton

ISBN 978-1-3990615-06.  First published 2024.

Published by Pen and Sword Books, £25 (special christmas offer £18.75), plus P&P £4.99.

Also available in all good bookshops.

Available from Amazon in print and kindle editions.


Witches Bears and Mollies George Frampton front cover‘Witches, Bears and Mollies, Plough Monday-related Customs in Cambridgeshire (past and Present)’ by George Frampton

First published 2024.

Buy direct from the author for £25 +£3 P&P.

Email george.frampton53@gmail.com.


Cecil Sharp biography David Sutcliffe book cover 2023‘Cecil Sharp and the Quest for Folk Song and Dance: a new biography’ by David Sutcliffe

ISBN 978-1-9161424-73.  First published 2023.

For a siged copy, buy direct from the author at www.cecilsharpspeople.org.uk £25 plus £5 P&P.

Or buy from The Ballad Partners (Steve Roud & David Atkinson) who have an introductory offer £20 plus P&P unsigned.  Also available unsigned in all good bookshops. Price £25.

See a video of David’s talk to the MF about his book, and links to lots of other resources.

Carnivals Contests and Coronations book cover


‘Carnivals, Contests and Coronations: A Social History of Morris Dancing in Trafford before the Second World War’ by Richard Nelson

ISBN: 978-1-5262-0944-3.  First published 2022.

Published by Shuffleback Press. Buy from YPD Books £18 + P&P.

Sponsored by the Morris Federation.

See book review by Peter Bearon of ‘Carnivals, Contests and Cornonations’ in FedExtra magazine Spring/Summer 2023.

See also Richard’s blog about the review of his book by Michael Heaney in the EFDSS Folk Music Journal, Vol 12 Number 4 2024

See a video of Richard’s talk to the MF about his book, and links to lots of other resources.

Ancient English Morris Dance Michael Heaney book cover


‘The Ancient English Morris Dance’ by Michael Heaney

ISBN Paperback: 978-1-80327-386-0.  ISBN Digital: 978-1-80327-387-7 (e-PDF).  First published 2023.

In the UK, buy from Archaeopress £29.99 incl PDF or £16 PDF eBook, or in the US buy from ISD USD$40.

EFDSS members can see a book review by Matthew Simons in the EFDSS Folk Music Journal, Vol 12 Number 4 2024.

Book review coming soon to our FedExtra magazine.

See a video of Michael’s talk to the MF about his book, and links to lots of other resources.


‘The Making of a Tradition: East Lancashire Clog Dancing’ by Pat Tracey

ISBN: 978-1-73989-551-8.  First published 2023.

Buy from Francis Boutle Publishers for £20.  50% of the receipts go to the Alzheimer’s Society.

EFDSS members can see a book review by Chloe Middleton-Metcalfe in the EFDSS Folk Music Journal, Vol 12 Number 4 2024.


All Step Up Derek Schofield book front cover‘All Step Up: The History of the Manley Morris Dancers’ by Derek Schofield

ISBN: 978-1-3999-2685-0.  First published 2022.

Buy from Derek Schofield for £12 + £5 P&P.

See book review by Geoff Bibby of ‘All Step Up’ in the FedExtra magazine Spring/Summer 2023.

EFDSS members can see a book review by Michael Heaney in the EFDSS Folk Music Journal, Vol 12 Number 3 2023.


Sword Dancing in Handsworth and Woodhouse Box and Helen Davison 2021‘Sword Dancing in Handsworth and Woodhouse’ by Boz and Helen Davison

ISBN: 978-1-800-68480-5.  First published 2021.

Buy from Handsworth Sword Dancers for £6.50 + £2.50 P&P.

EFDSS members can see a book review by Stephen D Corrsin in the EFDSS Folk Music Journal, Vol 12 Number 3 2023.


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