Blog – The Historical Dance Society

20Feb 2026 by David Parsons

The Early Dance Circle Lecture 2026

The Greensleeves Project: Clothing in Early Modern Music and Dance Speaker: Tamsin Lewis FRHistS, Director of Passamezzo and Associate Lecturer in Renaissance Music and Art at The Courtauld Institute 28 February 2026, 3 pm at St Andrew’s Church, Thornhill Square, London N1 1BQ Discover the hidden verses of Greensleeves and the lavish gifts showered upon My Lady Greensleeves by her suitor. Often linked to Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, this iconic song is told from a man’s perspective— but what might the woman have felt? Funded by the Janet Arnold Award, the Greensleeves Project brings history to life. Under Tamsin Lewis’s direction, a team of historians and makers recreated My Lady’s clothing, accessories, and more in a captivating video. Hear directly from Tamsin Lewis about the research and making of…

08Jan 2026 by David Parsons

Summer School 2026: Dancing in the Ballrooms of 18th century England and France

Events, For dancers, Summer School

The 56th Historical Dance Society Annual Summer School 2026 Friday 10th to Friday 17th July 2026at Bromsgrove School, West Midlands, B61 7HP Weekend course also available 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 classes, to develop technique and learn a selection of dances. A varied choice of afternoon workshops led by course tutors…

06Jan 2026 by David Parsons

The Boone Companion Launch Day

Events

A day of dance led by Ann and Paul Kent, authors of The Boone Companion to launch its publication Presented by The Historical Dance Society jointly with Herts Early Dance Saturday 14th March 2026 10.30 to 16.30 at St Stephen's Church Hall, Watling Street, St Albans, AL1 2PX Ann and Paul will introduce and teach a selection of dances from their book 'The Boone Companion', which consists of dances of mid-seventeenth-century England from the Pattricke, Sloane, Lansdowne manuscripts, all of which are hitherto unpublished sources. This event will therefore be of interest to dancers both in the Historical Dance and English Country Dance circles, as it offers a varied and slightly different repertoire. Whilst the steps, style, and choreographies will be taught, dancers will be required to have a knowledge of…

18Dec 2025 by Felicity Maxwell

New Book and CDs: Dances for Queen Victoria

For dancers, For musicians, News

Dances for Queen Victoria presents a collection of dances that were taught to Queen Victoria’s children by Edinburgh dancing master Joseph Lowe, accompanied with new recordings of the music and new essays that shed light on the collection’s historical context and significance. Joseph Lowe, one of the leading dancing masters of Edinburgh, was employed twice a year as dancing master to Queen Victoria’s children at Balmoral and Windsor. Lowe’s published dances thus set the standard for glamorous Victorian ballroom accomplishments. This edition provides further guidance and notes on each dance; additional dance instructions where needed; vocabularies of steps, figures and formations; illustrations and diagrams; and a full facsimile of the original publication from a copy in the National Library of Scotland – making it the definitive resource for dancers and researchers…

01Nov 2025 by David Parsons

International Historical Dance Symposium 2026

For dancers, News

“Transitions” – Dance in times of Change, 1400–1900 3–7 June 2026, Burg Rothenfels am Main, Germany Registrations are now open for the 6th Historical Dance Symposium. For centuries, dance has accompanied people through their daily lives, atjoyful celebrations and ceremonial occasions, in private as well as atmagnificent court balls. But how does our dance change when our lives change?When religious wars shake all foundations, old enemies become friends, newworlds are discovered and boundaries are broken down? What influence did theturbulent times of European history between 1400 and 1900 have on the occasions,practices, styles and functions of dance? When and where were therecontinuities, ruptures or parallel developments? Did they follow fashions andnew artistic trends, conquests and migrations or philosophicalcurrents? Changes and transitions in European social and stage dance in theeventful years…

25Oct 2025 by David Parsons

Weekend course: Dance, music and masquing at the court of Elizabeth I

For dancers, For musicians, Past events

Now open for booking Friday 16 to Sunday 18 January 2026 at Halsway Manor, west Somerset. You are invited to a friendly house-party in beautiful West Somerset. The weekend is based on re-creating the Masque of Diana and Actaeon, performed at the court of Elizabeth I. Tutors are Ann Hinchliffe (beginners and improvers), Anne Daye (experienced dancers), and Sam Brown (musicians). Programme Friday evening: dancing together and a short talk on the masque and its background of court intrigue. Saturday morning classes: a balletto with Anne and Tudor dances with Ann. Afternoon: re-creating the masque with costume, dancing, music, song and spoken word. Evening: revels as in the Queen's Privy Chamber -- dance, song, poetry and music. Sunday morning: dance practice and rehearsing our version of the masque, which will…

12Sep 2025 by David Parsons

Day Course: 18th Century Dances with Sam Gosk

For dancers, Past events

18th century Allemande, Cotillions and Country Dances St Pancras Church House, 1 Lancing Street, London NW1 1NASaturday 22nd November 2025 10.30 – 16.30 Come and enjoy dancing the elegant and iconic 18th century Allemande with its characteristic steps, turns and interlacing holds as used in the cotillions and country dances. Sam Gosk is an IDTA qualified dance teacher with 20 years’ experience in teaching and performing. Suitable for anybody with previous dance experience of any type, although some knowledge of country dance figures will be helpful. Booking and enquiries HDS members £44, non-members £49. Numbers are strictly limited so book early to secure your place. Further details provided on booking. On-line booking: WebCollect Enquiries: Anne Daye

24Jul 2025 by David Parsons

New book and CD: The Boone Companion

For dancers, News

The Boone Companion: Dances of mid-seventeenth-century England from the Pattricke, Sloane, Lansdowne manuscripts & Playford by Paul and Ann Kent. The book contains instructions for 18 dances from the three manuscripts and reworking of two Playford dances. It includes diplomatic transcriptions of the manuscript texts and the dances have been clearly described with the help of diagrams and represent realisations that aim to suit dancers from both folk and historical dance backgrounds. There is a separate CD/digital recording to accompany this book with music for all the dances. The music has been selected from contemporary sources and arranged and directed by David Gordon. It is played by a small instrumental ensemble and provides effective music for the dances as well as for enjoyable listening. For full details and to buy…

11Jul 2025 by David Parsons

New book and CD: Dances of the French Courts

For dancers, News, Other

Dances of the French Courts: 16th century Dance, Music and Songs from France, is a collection of dances and their music from the reign of François I (1515-1547) to that of the young Louis XIII in 1614 researched by Anne Daye with music recorded by Passomezzo directed by Tamsin Lewis. Instructions are given for each dance, along with music notation, and there are notes on the relevant steps. Several short essays provide insight into the practice of dancing in France across this period. For full details and to buy hard copies or downloads see HDS Shop The music is also available for purchase on Bandcamp.

24May 2025 by David Parsons

Day Course: More Dancing Like a Tudor

For dancers, Past events

Experience dances of Queen Elizabeth’s court Saturday 20th September 2025 10.30 – 16.30 St Pancras Church House, 1 Lancing Street, London NW1 1NA Teachers: Ann Hinchliffe and Helen Young Find out about, and try for yourself, dances from the Tudor court. This will be a day full of dance, and you will also learn about the place and practice of dancing within the social scene at court and in the wider country. All dances will be taught from scratch so if you’re new to dance or historical dance or would just like a refresher class, you will find it easy and fun to join in. If you came to last year’s Dance like a Tudor day, you will revise some of those dances as well as learning some new ones.…

29Apr 2025 by David Parsons

A History of Country Dancing – Beyond England

Dance history, Other

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

For dancers, Past events

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

For dancers, Other, Past events, Past summer schools

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

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