Last Rapper Sword Maker Fights to Preserve Ancient Craft

The intricate art of making rapper swords, crucial for the traditional North East England sword dance, faces an uncertain future. Eighty-one-year-old Frank Lee, from Cumbria, is recognized as the sole remaining maker of these unique, two-handled bending swords, a craft that emerged from the region's coalfields in the 18th century.

While rapper sword dancing remains a vibrant, globally performed tradition, the specialized knowledge of its essential tools is held by only one individual. Cultural studies professor Trish Winter is leading a project, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, aimed at safeguarding this heritage. The initiative seeks to meticulously document Lee's techniques through film and other methods to prevent the craft's knowledge from vanishing.

Lee, a former dancer and craftsman, began making swords in 1977 out of necessity, as they were difficult to obtain. He notes that while the dance is popular, the demand for sword making isn't commercially viable, leading to a vulnerability in the craft's transmission. The project launches on November 15th with an exhibition at Dry Waters Art Centre and will run until September 2027, featuring talks and demonstrations.