Ever since the Middle Ages, during the Twelve Days of Christmas, groups of guise dancers have been found entertaining each other and their communities all across West Penwith.
Guise Dancing was always a sort of mumming, involving complete disguise in ragged and grotesque or elaborate and grand costumes, cross dressing and animal masks – though there was very little actual dancing there was usually a lot of bad music and worse jokes – going from house to house in the dark.
Since 2013 we’ve generally got together in more formal Guilds.
Because Montol isn’t a fancy-dress party — No Batman but plenty of capes – it’s a much deeper celebration of a traditional Cornish Christmas and the Winter Solstice and our sincere connection to each other at the turning of the year.
And the Guilds help keep that spirit alive!
So, if you’re thinking of starting or reviving a Guild you should keep these things in mind:
Keep it local – how can you link your Guild to Penzance or Penwith?
To our history, places, stories and myths, to work in the fields, down the mines, out at sea, or in the streets of Penzance.
Look at the Cornmarket Revellers or the ‘Gyptians here.
What should you look like?
Traditionally people sported Mock Formal or Mock Posh, ragged Tatters and often Cross Dressed. This is Penzance – the home of the anarchic hand-made and making do – so I’m sure people often blended all three.
COSTUMES | MASKS
How should your Guild be organised?
At Montol we aim turn the world upside down and the hierarchies and rules that restrict and frustrate us throughout the rest of the year can and should be mocked and inverted too.
You don’t need elaborate Masonic initiations and degrees but a playful chain of command with a Master, Admiral, Hector and other ridiculous offices is all part of the fun.
And what should you do?
Testing the Ale around the taverns in town, re-enacting the ceremonies of Ancient Egypt, or just playing baffling games, performing absurd and outrageous plays or simply serenading your fellow guisers with traditional music and song.
Think about what you can offer to the evening or the pubs and restaurants in return for their hospitality.
So if you’re a Guild, want to form a Guild, you’re a performer or just curious and open-minded then come to the Gathering on Sunday – in what the military calls Number One Dress – formal but not necessarily your full regalia – and enter your name for The Master of Ceremonies in the Ancient Montol Ledger.
See you there.
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