Dance workshop content
There are many different Medieval dances that have been recorded throughout history. It's great to have a go and learn how they would have danced in the 15th - 17th Century.
Intro
Our workshops start with an introduction, so that we can talk about the time in history and where dance fitted into it:
- Who would have dance?
- Where they would have danced?
- What did they wear to dance in?
- What the music sounded like.
Dance styles
Here are some different types of Medieval dances which were popular through many centiries and that the Tudors also did.
Basque dance - This one originated in Spain. It involves lots of prancing around and showing off to each other!
Haute dance – The characteristics include leaping high and showing masculinity in the men, and dainty, quick footsteps for the women.
Volter – This Italian dance means ‘Turn’. It was a very risque dance back then, as the men turned the women 3/4 in the air. It was very unusual at that time to have men lifting women and onlookers were often shocked by this dance!
Galliard – A very jumpy and energetic dance and one that we usually teach in our workshops. This was said to be Queen Elizabeth I’s favourite dance. There’s a quote from John Stanhope of the Privy Chamber who reported, “The Queen is so well as I assure you, six or seven Galliards in a morning, besides music and singing, is her ordinary exercise”. This was when she was in her mid 50’s!
Pavan – This is the dance you’d do as you enter a room or event to make everyone aware of your arrival. It’s a slow, processional, gliding dance and a nice calm one to teach as a warm up.
Performance
We usually end each of our workshops with an informal performance from each group. It's good fun to watch others dance and also feel proud of what you have all achieved in your workshops with Zest.
