We are a women's side from Godalming, Surrey.
Our dances originate from several parts of England. Some are traditional and some are written by members of the side. Stave dances are based on the processional steps performed by the village friendly societies and we use several styles from the Cotswold area. We also perform some lively dances in the style of Border Morris from Herefordshire and Shropshire. We have also devised our own Farncombe tradition (partly due to the dearth of traditional material collected from this region)
We perform mainly in and around Southwest Surrey. Our Venues vary and include festivals, fêtes and at pubs (often with other sides)
Forget jogging
Forget aerobics . . . .
Come and enjoy Morris Dancing
Fleur de Lys is a Morris side with female dancers and both male and female musicians. Morris Dancing is a great way to have fun and keep fit, and we are always looking for lively new members. Don't worry if you've never danced before as full training will be given.
We are also very keen to welcome new musicians whether experienced or just interested in playing for dancing. Players of melodeon, concertina or fiddle are most suited to our style of dance.
We practise from September through until May from 8.00 till 10.00 pm on Tuesday evenings, at the scout hut, Charterhouse road, Godalming. We usually round off the evening with a visit to a local pub.
We also enjoy plenty of social activities and have one or two weekends away at festivals for those who are really keen. Why not come along and give it a go!
If you would like more information please call Sophie Reid on 07946052710
Or email: Fleur-de-Lys
Links to Other Useful Sites
(with particular reference to its use in the region around Guildford and Godalming)
Research into the origins of the term Fleur-de-Lys (as opposed to the emblem) in the area of Guildford and Godalming has thrown up some interesting points. It would seem that the term Fleur-de-Lys is partly a euphemism and part a contraction; the two parts being put together and further corrupted by the ignorant until the original phrase became identical to the French term and thus all meaning was lost to the public at large and only a few were still able to smile behind their hands when the title Fleur-de-Lys was used.
During the reign of King Charles I Loseley Manor (or Lothesley Manor as it was then known) was an estate of some substance and the King was a frequent visitor. The said visits were social in the accepted use of the word but they were also made to gratify the King's more carnal social instincts, without his Court in London, or indeed the broadsheets of the day, being aware of what His Majesty was up to. In truth he came down to Loseley for wenches; in fact the orders were that when the King came to Loseley Manor three wenches were to be provided for his pleasure. The visits became so regular and frequent that a Charter was drawn up in the nearby town of Guildford to the effect that: "Whenever the King comes to Lothesley Manor the Lord is to present his Majesty with Three Whores" (2).
At the time 'Whore' was not a word used in the politest of company and very often the word 'Fleur' or flower was to be heard, as for example in: "His Majesty is off to see his Flowers this coming Friday". This then is the euphemism; the contraction is obvious - Lothesley became 'Ly' by using the first and last letters only (this form of contraction is still used, particularly in the United States of America).
Thus we have it: the King's whores became the Fleurs-of-Ly which very soon, with the substitution of 'de' and the moving of an 's' (as the ignorant do today in referring incorrectly to, for example, 'Court Martials), became 'Fleur-de-Lys'. Farncombe borders on Loseley Manor and most, if not all, the King's wenches would have been found from within its borders. It is not surprising, then, that for many a year after the death of that particular Monarch, any young woman of the locality suspected of any untoward behaviour was likely to be labelled with the sobriquet 'Fleur-de-Lys'.
The mutation to the French term 'Fleur-de-Lys' may not have been done entirely in ignorance; it would have been useful to have had a term, so apparently innocent, with which to refer to the King's proclivities - after all heads were at stake!
Finally of course, 'Lys' is a pun in French for 'lit' meaning bed. Thus, Fleur-de-Lys (when spoken rather than in print) could reasonably be translated as 'Flower of the Bed', or prostitute.
(1) Not to be taken too seriously!
(2) Quoted in 'Maypoles,Martyrs & Mayhem' - Quentin Cooper and Paul Sullivan. Bloomsbury, 1995.