By the Rev. W. H. Jones. 245 
What was the origin, or first intention, of this custom, it is 
impossible now to say. Were it observed at the time of the Festival 
kept in commemoration of the Dedication of the Church, namely 
on Trinity Monday, we should judge it to be the relic of the old 
sports and pastimes usual on such occasions. Fairs were commonly, 
in times gone by, held in Church-yards,—indeed, within these very 
few years, such have been held in that of St. James, Bristol,—when 
the people thought little of dancing about the Church.’ In Malkin’s 
‘Scenery and Antiquities of South Wales’ (1804 p. 26.) we are 
told—“The custom of dancing in the Church-yard at their feasts and 
revels is universal in Radnorshire, and very common in other parts 
of the Principality. Indeed this solemn abode is rendered a kind 
of circus for every sport and exercise. They play at Fives and 
Tennis against the wall of the Church. They do not dance on the 
graves, but on the North side where there are no graves.” —In the 
case of Bradford Church-yard the booths at the time of the annual 
fair were in olden times brought close to its limits, and the South 
wall of the Church Tower shews, unmistakeable evidences of having 
been used for the balls of the Tennis players. The ‘boys dance’ 
round the Church however formed no part of the ceremonies of the 
‘Trinity Festival.’ 
It is possible that the custom we have been describing is the relic 
of some very ancient observances. Though we do not profess to rely 
on the facts we are about to mention as an explanation of this 
‘Bradford custom,’ yet still they lend some colour to a conjecture 
that its origin may perhaps be sought in extreme antiquity. 
In days when Baal (the sun) was the chief object of worship, as 
in ancient Britain, and many other countries, a circular dance, in 
“allusion to the sun’s supposed motion round the earth, formed part 
of the ceremony. The Hindoos also used the Raas Jattra, or ‘dance 
of the circle,’ in honor of Vishnu, (the sun). Many British 
monuments, moreover, are in circular form, as Stonehenge,— 
Abury, &c. Stonehenge was called the ‘Giants’ dance’; anda 
'Medii Avi Kalendarium i. 355. Brand’s Popular Antiquities, ii. 459, 
{Bohn’s edition.] This custom led to much scandal, and was, in due time, 
stopped. 
