renaissance Archives – 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…

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…

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.…

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

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.…

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

25Oct 2023 by David Parsons

Residential weekend: Dance and performance at the Jacobean court

For dancers, Past events

Now open for booking Friday 26 to Sunday 28 January 2024 at Halsway Manor, west Somerset Dances associated with Ben Jonson's masque Hymenaei will be learnt and animated for an in-house performance of the masque on Sunday. Tutors Anne Daye and Ann Hinchliffe will lead classes, respectively, for more experienced dancers and for improvers. There will be opportunities to sing, play (any portable acoustic instrument) and dress up, in the lively sociable atmosphere of a Tudor country house amid beautiful scenery. For further details, please download the booking form below. Organiser: Ann Hinchliffe, thedancingmaster@outlook.com or 07780 799 613. Bookings: Please download and complete the booking form. Booking form (MS Word) Booking form (PDF)

18Jan 2023 by David Parsons

Summer School 2023. Dances of the Italian Renaissance.

For dancers, Past events, Past summer schools

Exploring Fifteenth and Sixteenth Century Dance Friday 14th to Monday 17th July 2023 or Friday 14th to Friday 21st July at Bromsgrove School, West Midlands, B61 7HP. Bromsgrove School We offer a choice of a 15th or 16th Century dance course at two general levels of difficulty/challenge. The weekend course is aimed at those with little or no dance experience of their chosen period. The longer course is aimed at those with previous experience and some knowledge of the step vocabulary, with a few places available for weekend attendance. The weekend courses offer an excellent introduction to historical dance. 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 and other…

19Nov 2022 by David Parsons

Weekend course ‘Dancing Well, Dancing Longer’

For dancers, Past events

Led by Kath Waters, the course runs from Friday 3 to Sunday 5 February 2023 at Benslow Music, Benslow Lane, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, SG4 9RB. Participants will explore dances from the Renaissance and Baroque periods with a focus on the development and application of technical skills and safe dance practice. The first evening and each morning will start with a general warm up, using exercises that can be taken away for personal use or use with a group. This will be followed by exploration of technical aspects such as strength, stamina, posture, alignment and co-ordination. These skills will then by applied to sociable Playford country dances on the first evening, Renaissance dances on the Saturday and Baroque dances on the Sunday. The course will be useful to both individual dancers and group leaders. Course Director: Kath Waters.…

27Oct 2022 by David Parsons

Shakespeare’s Dances: a celebration of dance, music and costume

For dancers, For musicians, Past events

Held online on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 November 2022 The Historical Dance Society is bringing together renowned historians, researchers and practitioners to enjoy a weekend of Shakespeare-themed activities. References to dances and dancing appear throughout Shakespeare's plays. This weekend explores the dances, dance music and costumes that were familiar to Shakespeare and his circle. Learn how to dance a MeasureFind out how dances are interpreted and staged in productions of Shakespeare's playsExplore the hats, headwear and clothing of the timeDiscover the exciting Shakespeare and Dance ProjectFind out about creating music with limited resources in Shakespeare's timeFocus on non-social dancing and dance for performance in Shakespeare's playsDiscover how dance can be made dramatic in the dramas Relax and enjoy A Shakespeare Revel on Saturday evening (GMT) with dancing, music, readings and other delights. You…

28Jun 2013 by EmilyBowen

Study Forum 1: Reconstructing Technique – Creating Performance (2013)

Conference publications

Goldsmiths, University of London, 23-24 March 2013 Two days of practical workshops and presentations, guided by leading researchers, teachers and performers. Due to the practical nature of most of the sessions, the proceedings were not published. One of the papers is available to download Roger Clegg, Lucie Skeaping and Anne Daye – Singing Simpkin and other Bawdy Jigs: Recuperating the Song-and-Dance Comedies on the Shakespearean Stage (paper and workshop) Paul and Ann Kent – Ever to Endure: Recreating Dances from the Gresley Manuscript (workshop) Ilona Taure – Bringing the Castle to Life: dance at Bauska Castle, Latvia (presentation) Download Jennifer Kiek – "... and winding heys to tread": an Exploration of Possible Interpretations of the S. Hey in Country Dances from Playford 1651 (workshop) Jennifer Thorp – Revisiting Le Palais…

28Jun 2009 by EmilyBowen

On Common Ground 7: Kings and Commoners: Dances of Display for Court, City and Country (2009)

Conference publications

All Saints Pastoral Centre, London Colney, St Albans, 28-29 March 2009 All the papers are available to download. Anne Daye – Dancing for King and Country: the Jacobean Court Dancer Download Hazel Dennison – Dancing the Barbarian (workshop) Download Maëlle Amand – The Distorted Representations of Dance in Eighteenth-Century Britain: a Study of Parody and Caricature Download Moira Goff – Edmund Pemberton and the Improvement of Dancing Download Barbara Segal – The Hornpipe: a Dance for Kings, Commoners and Comedians (workshop) Download Ann and Paul Kent – Bransles for Display? Download Jørgen Schou-Pedersen – Dances for a Royal Danish Masquerade Download

Tag: renaissance