Sword Dancing Earrings

Sword Dancing is usually regarded as a type of Morris dance. Two forms have been revived in England—longsword and rapier. Both were once common in the north of England. Dancers are linked in a ring, holding the swords, and the dance form is distinctive for its fast and elegant weaving figures, where dancers pass over and under the swords while remaining linked. At times, the swords are interlinked into a woven knot, known as a lock or nut, which is strong enough to be held up by one of the dancers, then returned to all the dancers who grab the sword handles, unlink the swords, and continue the dance.