The history of the Gate to Southwell.
The Gate to
Southwell is a historic procession of Morris dancers from Nottingham city centre
to Southwell Minster. It dates back to 1109, when the Archbishop of York wrote
to every parish in Nottinghamshire asking for contributions for the building of
the Minster. The procession was their public way of handing over what became
known as the Southwell Pence.
The procession was traditionally held at Whitsuntide, led by the Mayor of
Nottingham and city officials in their ceremonial robes. The week was regarded
as Southwell Feast Week, and the word “Gate” is believed to be derived from the
Scandinavian word “Gata,” meaning road.
The traditional ceremony is thought to have died out in the 16th century, but in
its modern form the Gate to Southwell was revived in 1981 by Mr Bob Hine, of
Nottingham’s Dolphin Morris.
Dancers nowadays assemble in Nottingham Market Square, met by the Lord Mayor,
who presents the Southwell Pence to the dancers to be handed over at the
Minster. By tradition, each year the dancers invite the mayor to accompany them
on horseback, and by tradition he declines. They also ask him if he would wish
to pay for their ale on the journey. This kind request he also declines.
The event includes about a dozen traditional dance teams, who process through
the city, singing and dancing at pubs along the way. Buses take them from
Sneinton to Burton Joyce for a massed dance display, then on through several
villages, arriving at Southwell about 5pm.
The procession is met at the Minster by the Dean, where the pence are handed
over and a short service is held. It is intended this year to route the
procession on to the folk festival site, where the teams will perform before the
evening concerts begin.
Procession photographs by Geoff Buxton.