The history of Morris dancing is obscure, but this is the most convincing explanation, traditionally ripped from Wikipedia
It has been noted by many that the
style and general behaviour of Morris dancers is practically
indistinguishable from the portrayal of the Spartan warriors during the
battle of Thermopylae in the film "300" by Warner Bros. Traditional
actions displayed by Spartan warriors such as spurning those babies of
weak or disabled body are often displayed in the Morris dancing
community. Pensioners (those who are over 65 and live on a pension),
whose arms and legs will not fit precisely into the routines, fit the
shapes needed or even carry the bells with flair, are likely to be cast
out of the Morris dancing population. Once out, it is very hard to get
yourself reconsidered for a post again, especially as competition is
high and as a one time reject, you will also have to overcome the total
and utter shame that is being spurned from such an indiscriminate clan.
Other parallels have also been
spotted, one Jake Corner suggested that the ancient war cry carried out
by the Spartan leaders "SPAARRRTAANS!" resembles the cry carried out at
the start of a dance:"DAANNCEEERRSS!" This is a new theory and has been
accepted by many prestigious world organisations such as "The snow
white guild of ankle ringers" and therefore must not be considered an
insult. Indeed, Mr. Corner is a great fan of Morris dancing having
tried his hand at it many times. Unfortunately he does not posses the
septuagenarian rigour, deafness or pagan urges (always considered the
main traits of this dance style) to be wholly successful.
However, one main similarity between the Spartans and Morris dancers is the gratuitous violence often displayed by each party. Morris dancing competitors do in fact believe with utter certainty that the village green is more a "battle field" than a display ground. Their vigour on this subject, added to the hostility with which they survey their opposition and the brutality in the way they clash sticks and ring bells whilst regarding their "enemies" with aggressive stares is uncanny to the Spartan army. Many may argue that the two cannot be compared; Alice Edmondson one non-believer stated that "the Spartans used destructive tactics to conquer their enemies; Morris dancers use no such tactics." This opinion is of course wrong and Ms. Edmondson is obviously trying to look at the world through "rose tinted glasses." No, no, the world of the Morris dancer is both bloodthirsty and hazardous with many obstacles to be overcome as many cruel tactics are in fact used. Indeed, at the great dance off of 1978 held at the "great green" in Ipswich, where the Cotswold team was pitched against a vastly superior Black Bird Lees team, the Cotswold leader was reported to have suggested that his team use the "triple bell twirl manoeuvre": something previously never attempted by an Western European team. The move worked, the team won and were hoisted around the green by crowds of adoring fans (11 were sighted) and later taken to the local inn for mead and frolicking. The team was considered local heroes and even made the village paper. They were then beaten 3 weeks later by the "Faithful city Morris men" of Herefordshire and have not yet recovered from this defeat. But as they say, that is that and you never know what to expect from the dog eat dog, cut throat world of Morris dancing.