also published as
Off With His Head
For
John and Bear with love
To anybody with the smallest knowledge of folklore it will be obvious that the Dance of the Five Sons is a purely imaginary synthesis combining in most unlikely profusion the elements of several dances and mumming plays. For information on these elements I am indebted, among many other sources, to England’s Dances, by Douglas Kennedy, and Introduction to English Folklore, by Violet Alford.
Cast of Characters
Mrs. Bünz
Dame Alice Mardian
The Reverend Mr. Samuel
Stayne
Ralph Stayne
Dulcie Mardian
William Andersen
Daniel Andersen
Andrew Andersen
Nathaniel Andersen
Christopher Andersen
Ernest Andersen
Camilla Campion
Bill Andersen
Tom Plowman
Trixie Plowman
Dr. Otterly of Yowford, general practitioner
Simon Begg of Simmy-Dick’s Service Station
Superintendent Carey of the Yowford Constabulary
Police Sergeant Obby of the Yowford Constabulary
of the C.I.D., New Scotland Yard
Superintendent Roderick Alleyn
Detective-Inspector Fox
Detective-Sergeant Bailey
Detective-Sergeant Thompson
of Mardian Castle
Rector of East Mardian,
her great-nephew by marriage
her great-great-nephew and
son of the Rector
her great-niece
of Copse Forge
blacksmith
his sons
his grand-daughter
his grandson
landlord of the Green Man
his daughter