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A useful books on May Traditions
May Day, the Coming of Spring by Doc Rowe published by English Heritage and EFDSS
The English Year by Steve Roud published by Penguin Books
Maypole History
No-one really knows when the first maypole was erected - or why.
There were maypoles in England in the early 1500s - they were supposedly banned by Cromwell
In some places, dances were round a suitable tree, or a tree would be cut down on may morning, decorated with garlands and then used for dancing.
Maypole as we think of it now with plaited ribbons was introduced in the Victorian era by John Ruskin, he was influential in teacher training so trainee teachers took maypole dancing to all parts of the British Empire as well as across England.
There is a tradition of maypole dancing in many parts of Europe but usually danced by adults and walking pace – not children skipping!