Blog – The Historical Dance Society

29Apr 2025 by David Parsons

A History of Country Dancing – Beyond England

A History of Country Dancingwith an emphasis on the steps Anne Daye, HDS Director of Education and Research The Spread of the Country Dance beyond England Scotland The English country dance was first introduced to Scotland when James, Duke of York (later James II) was sent by King Charles to hold court at Holyrood. For his second sojourn in 1681, his daughter Princess Anne (later Queen Anne, and a talented dancer) enjoyed country dancing when confined indoors. The first known Scottish country dance is John Anderson my jo with choreography and tune found in a manuscript of 1704, yet the dance itself is in the style of the 1680s. Between 1704 and 1749 the development of a Scottish genre of country dance can be traced through manuscript sources. An indication…

29Apr 2025 by David Parsons

A History of Country Dancing – Twentieth Century

Dance history, Other

A History of Country Dancingwith an emphasis on the steps Anne Daye, HDS Director of Education and Research ‘Traditional’ Country Dances The shifting relationship between dance figures and tunes in the nineteenth century followed fashion and the whim of the dancer. However, a constant association between some dances and a tune became popular in certain localities, so that across time the dances were considered so longstanding as to form a traditional practice. A good example of this is The Triumph, first published in 1790 and still popular today. Walker 2001 traces the various forms of a dance that is considered ‘traditional’. The figures are those of the late eighteenth century ballroom, and the characteristic figure of bringing the lady up ‘in triumph’ between two men is an allemande hold for…

29Apr 2025 by David Parsons

A History of Country Dancing – Georgian to Victorian

Dance history, Other

A History of Country Dancingwith an emphasis on the steps Anne Daye, HDS Director of Education and Research The Georgian Country Dance The first half of the eighteenth century was the heyday of the longways country dance for as many as will, as good footwork was combined with intricate and challenging figures in a dance genre enjoyed by the highest and lowest of the nation. Tomlinson includes a chapter on the country dance, saying ‘it is become as it were the Darling or favourite Diversion of all Ranks of People from the Court to the Cottage in their different Manners of Dancing’. The country dance was the staple of the court ball, family parties and the assembly rooms, following in the programme after the high demands of solo couples executing…

06Apr 2025 by David Parsons

Playford’s Dance Steps

Events, For dancers

Saturday 10 May, 10:00 – 17:00 St Wulstan's Church Hall, Newcastle under Lyme, ST5 0EG John Playford’s The Dancing Master books spanned 1651 (as The English Dancing Master) to 1728. In that time, English social dance metamorphosed from earthy Tudor origins to French-influenced elegance – or did it? Spend a lively day learning well-known and less well-known Playford dances, with the steps that people of the time would have danced. Led by friendly tutors from the Historical Dance Society. A great work-out for brains and legs! No partner needed nor previous experience. Please wear loose comfortable clothes and flexible footwear. Booking and enquiries Whole day: £40 per person; £5 reduction for low income or members of HDS. Half day (morning or afternoon): half price. Tea & coffee provided; bring own…

27Feb 2025 by David Parsons

Summer School 2025: Dancing at the Late Renaissance Courts of Italy, England and France

Events, For dancers, Other, Summer School

The 55th Historical Dance Society Annual Summer School 2025 Friday 11th to Friday 18th July 2025at Bromsgrove School, West Midlands, B61 7HP Bal à l'époque de Henri III Oil on wood, d'après Hieronymus Francken, c. 1580 Musée de Tessé, Le Mans. Copyright © Musées du Mans Course Outline The aim of our summer school is to provide people with the time to study a range of dances, to improve dancing ability and confidence, and to have fun in good company. The full course provides an in-depth dance experience while the weekend courses are perfect for those with less time available or those just wanting to try out dancing of this period. You do not need to come with a dance partner. Participants will study with their chosen tutor in daily…

30Jan 2025 by David Parsons

The Early Dance Circle Lecture 2025

For dancers, For musicians, News

Reconstructing Seventeenth-Century Maypole Dance: Dance, Experience, Culture Main Speaker: Bryony May Kummer-Seddon (Associate Lecturer, University of Lincoln) with comments about modern Maypole dancing by Mike Ruff. 28 February 2025, 7:30 pm, on Zoom. Bryony’s lecture will explore the reconstruction of historic maypole dancing, and its associated traditions, with a focus on seventeenth century England. The event is free with donations (optional) but requires registration. See the EDC events page for more information and a link to registrations. The lecture will be recorded and distributed after the event if you cannot attend. EDC Events Page

30Jan 2025 by David Parsons

International Historical Dance Symposium 2026

For dancers, News

The HDS is a partner in the International Historical Dance Symposium. Here is the call for contributions. Preparations for our next International Historical Dance Symposium have been underway for some time. We are pleased to hereby send out our call for contributions. The 6th symposium will take place from 3-7 June 2026 at Burg Rothenfels in Germany with the theme "Transitions" Dance in Times of Change 1400 - 1900 We are looking for contributions in the form of lectures, posters, workshops, short performances and dance evenings. More information about the different categories can be found on our homepage. While our association Dance & History e.V. is responsible for the practical organization of the conference, Burg Rothenfels is the host of the event. Please send your proposals to Markus Lehner, info@historical-dance-symposium.org.…

22Aug 2024 by David Parsons

New blog series: A History of Country Dancing

News

Anne Daye has written a series of blog posts on A History of Country Dancing (with an emphasis on the steps). To date (22 August 2024) the first five instalments are online, with four more planned. They give a brief overview of different periods in the evolution of country dancing, for anyone wanting a quick introduction to the history or as the basis for further reading. Find the first post at A History of Country Dancing – Introduction

22Aug 2024 by David Parsons

A History of Country Dancing – The Later Stuarts

Dance history

A History of Country Dancingwith an emphasis on the steps Anne Daye, HDS Director of Education and Research The Country Dance of the Later Stuarts The Civil War and the Commonwealth caused a hiatus in English social life, particularly following the departure of royalty and many aristocratic and gentry families for France and the Continent. A new energy came with the Restoration of Charles II to the throne in 1660. Samuel Pepys went to Whitehall on New Year’s Eve 1662, where he saw the King dancing: ‘After seating themselves, the King takes out the Duchess of York; and the Duke, the Duchess of Buckingham; the Duke of Monmouth, my Lady Castlemaine; and so other lords other ladies; and they danced the Bransle. After that, the King led a lady a…

22Aug 2024 by David Parsons

A History of Country Dancing – Early Stuarts and The Commonwealth

Dance history

A History of Country Dancingwith an emphasis on the steps Anne Daye, HDS Director of Education and Research The Country Dance of the Early Stuarts and The Commonwealth Court records indicate that the country dance did not feature at court after 1603 until the 1620s, while other records show its continuance elsewhere. As James I came from Scotland and his wife from Denmark, it is likely that they had little knowledge of the vernacular dance of England. However, my research into the masque reveals that in 1619, steered by George Villiers the Marquis of Buckingham, the country dance was used as a marker of English culture in diplomacy with the French. After that, it became a regular conclusion to court balls, following the measures and the solo couple dances of…

22Aug 2024 by David Parsons

A History of Country Dancing – Elizabethan Country Dance

Dance history

A History of Country Dancingwith an emphasis on the steps Anne Daye, HDS Director of Education and Research Elizabethan Country Dance Records of the time show that the country dance was current by the late sixteenth century, when ‘old and new’ country dances were enjoyed at court. We have no specific evidence for what was understood by ‘old and new’ at that time, but the lengthier long and round dances, also danced in open spaces, may have been the ‘old’ form, as Margaret Dean-Smith proposed in the modern edition of The English Dancing Master (1957, 35). Queen Elizabeth enjoyed seeing country dancing on her progresses; a telling account of her visit to Cowdray in August 1591 shows the social range of the vernacular dance: ‘In the evening the countrie people…

22May 2024 by David Parsons

Day Course: A Regency Dance Day with Richard Powers

For dancers, Past events

Saturday 3rd August 2024 10.30 -17.30 St Pancras Church House, Lancing Street near Euston Station, London NW1 1NA This is a joint Early Dance Circle and Historical Dance Society event Enjoy a whole day of dancing country dances, cotillons and quadrilles for £40 per person (£35 for students and dancers on a low income). No partner is necessary. You should be aware that there will be some photography and filming of this workshop. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided. Lunch is not provided, so please bring a packed lunch or try a nearby cafe. Please wear soft soled flexible shoes as these will be best suited to the style of dance. There are no parking facilities at the hall, but parking spaces at the church can be booked via www.justpark.com In…

21May 2024 by David Parsons

A History of Country Dancing – Origins

Dance history

Anne Daye, HDS Director of Education and Research Origins I propose that the country dance evolved from the communal dances by a line of people. These still exist in local practice all over Europe, such as the carole (sung and danced), cousin to the kolo of Yugoslavia, hora of Rumania, horo of Bulgaria, the khorovod of Russia and la danza grande of Northern Spain. With a repetitive step pattern, the line travels onward guided by a leader, passing through the streets of the town, forming circles, spirals and weaving patterns in open places. Such a line can easily form into pairs to make further interactive patterns down the line. Two good examples of this genre in an elite setting are La Chiaranzana (described by Fabritio Caroso, dancing master of Rome,…

21May 2024 by David Parsons

A History of Country Dancing – Introduction

Dance history

A History of Country Dancingwith an emphasis on the steps Anne Daye, HDS Director of Education and Research Introduction A complete history of the country dance has yet to be written, and would form a major challenge. Here you will find an overview of the country dance from the 16th to 19th centuries, as a framework for discussion of the changing steps with which it was danced. The term ‘country dance’ is first recorded by the Oxford English Dictionary in the play Misogonus Act 2 scene iv, printed in 1577. This implies that the genre was well known at the time; if the play was written in 1560, then we can assume that the country dance was a well-established genre by the middle of the sixteenth century. The English measures…

26Apr 2024 by David Parsons

Day course: Dance like a Tudor

For dancers, Past events

An introduction to dances of Queen Elizabeth’s court Saturday 5th October 2024 10.30 – 16.30 St Pancras Church House, 1 Lancing Street, London NW1 1NA Teachers: Ann Hinchliffe and Helen Young What kind of dances did the Tudor court enjoy? Was dance important at the Tudor court? What were the dances mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays? What was a brawl, a pavan, a galliard or a coranto? Where and what did ordinary people dance? Find the answers at this practical day workshop with two experienced historical dance teachers. All the dances are based on extensive research into dance books and manuscripts of the time. You will experience some "English Measures" from sources associated with the the Inns of Court manuscripts – dances such as the pavan, almain, coranto, and galliard –…

02Apr 2024 by David Parsons

The Early Dance Circle Conference 2024

Other

The Early Dance Circle (EDC) Biennial Conference will be held 10-12 May 2024. The Conference brings together international specialists on historical dance topics spanning six centuries of dance history in the delightful surroundings of St Katharine’s Retreat House, Parmoor, Frieth, RG9 6NN, near High Wycombe. The theme for the 2024 gathering is Recovering Historical Dance: “We don’t reproduce the past, we create it” (Hilary Mantel). You can find more details at https://www.earlydancecircle.co.uk/events/#Conference