Origins of, and Stories about, the Titles of Dances in the RSCDS Books

RSCDS Book 1 No.  11 "The Cumberland Reel " Date of Publication: Origins/Composer: Collected locally "The Cumberland" is mentioned as a Country Dance early in the 19th Century Ref. RSCDS Stories: As with many dances of ceilidh origin, there are several variants of the "Cumberland Reel". In the RSCDS version (Book 1 #11) the figure "dance down and lead up" is 6+6 bars [bars 17-28]. The crib shows this version. Ref. SCDDB Picture: Google images Note: Instructions: CUMBERLAND REEL  (J4x32) 4C set RSCDS Book 1 1- 8 1s+2s dance RH across and LH across back to places 9-16 1s lead down the middle and back 17-32 1s followed by 2s+3s+4s cast down on own sides and lead back up to top, 1s lead down to bottom under arches made by 2s+3s+4s (MINICRIB, Dance Crib compiled by Charles Upton, Deeside Caledonian Society, and his successors) Video: https://www.scottish-country-dancing-dictionary.com/video/cumberland-reel....

RSCDS Book 1 No. 10 "Fight About the Fireside " Date of Publication: Included in Gow's "Five Favourite Country Dances. 1822". Ref. RSCDS Origins/Composer: Stories: Picture: Note: Instructions: FIGHT ABOUT THE FIRESIDE  (R8x32) 3C (4C set) Nathaniel Gow RSCDS Book 1 1- 8 1s lead down the middle and up to end facing 1st corners 9-16 1s dance reels of 3 across giving RSh to 1st corner (1s end facing 1st corners) 17-24 1s set and turn 1st corners, set and turn 2nd corners ending in 2nd place opposite sides 25-32 1s set twice and turn 2H 1½ times (MINICRIB, Dance Crib compiled by Charles Upton, Deeside Caledonian Society, and his successors) Video: https://www.scottish-country-dancing-dictionary.com/video/fight-about-the-fireside.html

RSCDS Book No.  " " Definition: Date of Publication: Origins/Composer: Music: Stories: Picture: Note: Instructions: Video:

RSCDS Book1 No. 9 "Rory O'More" Date of Publication: Origins/Composer: Collected locally Ref. RSCDS Stories: He was the second son of Ruairí Ó Mórdha, captain of Leix, and Margaret, daughter of Thomas Butler and granddaughter of  Piers Butler, eighth earl of Ormonde . His family was one of the most important of the Irish septs. Ruairí Caoch Ó Mórdha (fl. 1554), his father, was the son of Connell Ó Mórdha (d. 1537), and early acquired the character of a successful chieftain. On the death of Connell a dispute broke out between his three sons – Lysaght, Kedagh, and Ruairí – and their uncle Peter, who was the  Tanist , in line to head the family. Peter was for the time a friend of the Butlers. Consequently, the Lord Deputy of Ireland,  Lord Leonard Grey , supported the sons; and, although Peter was acknowledged chief, Grey got hold of him by a ruse, and led him about in chains for some time. Lysaght was killed; Kedagh secured the chieftainship, but died early...

RSCDS Book 1 No. 8 "The Duke of Perth" Date of Publication: "The Ballroom 1827" Origins/Composer: Collected locally Ref. RSCDS Stories: John Drummond   (1714–1747), titular 7th Earl and 4th   Duke of Perth , was a  Scottish  nobleman  and  Jacobite . John Drummond was the younger son of  James Drummond , fifth earl and second titular Duke of Perth, and Lady Jane Gordon, daughter of  George Gordon, 1st Duke of Gordon . He was the grandson of  James Drummond, 4th Earl of Perth , who was stripped of his titles for taking part in the  Jacobite Rising of 1715 . However, the 4th Earl was created Duke of Perth by  James Edward Stuart , the "Old Pretender", in the  Jacobite Peerage . The Drummonds continued to claim both titles, though they were never recognised by the  de facto British government. Portrait by  Domenico Duprà . John Drummond was brought up by his mother at  Drummon...

RSCDS Book 1 No. 7 "Strip the Willow" Date of Publication: Origins/Composer: 1. Collected locally Ref. RSCDS 2. Strip the Willow is an old Hebridean weaving dance. Ref. MaxiCrib Reuben Freemantle Stories: The movements of the dance represent stripping the leaves off the willow wands to ready them for weaving. Basketry: Traditionally every farm in Europe and in the early years of North America, maintained a willow plantation that served as a wind break, a shelter belt for livestock, a hedge-row where medicinal plants were found, and a place to find materials for fencing, furniture making, and basket weaving.  These were not accidental and wild, but were planted intentionally with special varieties of willow, hazel, fruit and nut trees, herbs, and berries.  If you have an old homestead, you may have one of these areas, grown over and just waiting for managed harvesting to bring it back into production. Colin Manthorpe sitting on the plank making a herr...