In the 1916 Deerfield, Massachusetts, pageant, the organizers wanted to represent the frivolity prevalent in the high society of England when the “Pilgrim forefathers” left England. An elaborate dress “revel” was created, set at the Pleasure Grounds at Shoreditch on the outskirts of London, where Richard Burbage’s playhouse, “The Theater,” was located. Dancers from a number of groups – “jesters, tumblers, shepherds, Morris dancers, rustic players, grand ladies,” in the words of the pageant program – met and danced there. This photograph was taken of two of them- a jester and his partner. During these revels, two Puritans come to watch and comment, and soon after they are shown leading their group to Holland. These Puritans were known as Separatists. They chose to leave England in 1609, to insulate their followers from what they saw as the taint of modern civilization. By 1620, fearing Dutch culture was overtaking the lives of their children, they emigrated to Virginia aboard the ships Mayflower and Speedwell. (Of course, they never arrived in Virginia, having been blown off-course to New England.)
Allen, Frances and Mary, photographer. Court Dancers. Photograph. 1916. Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, American Centuries. https://americancenturies.org/collection/1996-14-1384-01-04/. Accessed on December 6, 2024.
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