THE MICKLE MEDLAR.

THE RENOVATIONS TO St. Beohund’s church in Wappingrate-Lye exposed a remarkable mural depicting what is believed to be a traditional village dance of the twelfth century. The mural, drawn here with the damaged portions restored, is even more remarkable in that it reproduces the words of the simple song that appears to have accompanied the dance.

The words are transcribed in modern type below:

Now fyrste must thi fote out-stretched bee;
And then, thyne arme a-loft where al mai see,
The poyntyng fynger forthe & backe ys swept,
Wherefor thys daunce truckynge ys yclept.

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