Renaissance Dance at Your Library
Rich Haynes, Children's and Youth Librarian, Harlan County Public Library
This is a brief lesson that will teach you two renaissance dances that may be of use in your SRP programming. The first dance (The Carolingian Pavane) is a slow, stately, couples dance that is easy to learn and has a clear, definable beat. The second (The Maltese Bransle) is a bit faster and more complicated but also more “fun” by comparison. Besides the steps themselves, we have also provided a number of links to information with more dance steps, more music, and even pictures of some of the instruments that were listened to in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. With that in mind...On to the DANCE!!!
The Carolingian Pavane (danced to “Belle Qui Tiens ma Vie”)
Version: 1.1
One "pavane set'' of steps is a single, single, double.
- 1- 8 One pavane set forward.
9-16 One pavane set forward
17-24 One pavane set backwards
25-32 One pavane set forward - 1-16 Men kneel. Women go around in 2 pavane sets
17-32 Women kneel. Men go around in 2 pavane sets
(taken from http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/dance/Carolingian_Pavane.html)
Explanation
This is a slow, stately couple’s dance that can be danced in a circle or in a line (if space permits).
A single pavane step consists of stepping forward on one foot and bringing the other foot together.
A double pavane step consists of stepping forward on one foot, stepping forward on the opposite foot, stepping forward on the original foot and then feet together.
Our Pavane Set will be
- Step left – together
- Step right – together
- Step left-step right-step left-together
“Belle Qui Tiens ma Vie” can be found on Courtly Dances of Western Europe 1450-1650 by Jouissance and is available through Peter Durham for $15 + 2 s/h (send orders to 1436 W Lake Sammamish Pkwy SE, Bellevue WA 98008-5218. E-mail inquiries to dancecd@peterdur.com.
The Maltese Bransle (danced to the “Maltese Bransle”)
Source: steps patterned loosely after Arbeau, music from Mainerio.
Setting: A circle of dancers.
Version: 2.0
SCA "Turkish Bransle"
- 1- 2 Double left, double right.
3-4 Repeat - 5- 6 Raise hands, three singles into center, clap 3 times
7- 8 Three singles out to place, clap or kick 3 times.
(taken from http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/dance/Maltese_Bransle.html)
Explanation
This is a faster (and faster) dance that must be danced in a circle. Variations can be added at your whim.
This time, double refers to two hopping steps in a direction. So double left is two hopping steps to the left and double right is two hopping steps to the right.
Single refers to a “real” step, in this case toward the center and back out again.
Note: There is some controversy on the “authenticity” of this dance. It uses a period tune and steps similar to those found in the middle ages, but can not be categorically proven to be a medieval dance, although it is definitely in the medieval “style”. It has undergone a “folk” type interpretation.
“The Maltese Bransle” can be found on Incantare by Musica Subterranea and is available at this website http://www.musicasub.org/order.html for $12 + 2 s/h.
References and Additional Information
CD’s of Interest
Courtly Dances of Western Europe, by Jouissance www.peterdur.com/dancecd.htm $17 (25 tunes)
Dances from the Inns of Court London, by Jouissance www.peterdur.com/dancecd.htm $8 (10 tunes)
Musica Subterranea, by Musica Subterranea www.musicasub.org $14 (21 tunes)
Cornucopia, by Musica Subterranea www.musicasub.org $14 (21 tunes)
Incantare, by Musica Subterranea www.musicasub.org $14 (35 tunes)
Eschewynge of Ydleness, by Misericordia & Gaïta www.btinternet.com/~gaita/cd.html $40 (27 tunes)
Dances by the Marian Ensemble, by Heather Dale www.heatherdale.com $15 (12 tunes)
A Consort of Dances, by Dragonscale Consort www.dragonscaleconsort.com/ $20 (14 tunes)
This is a basic collection of Renaissance and Medieval music recommended by Lady Sophia the Orange on her site “Sophie’s Dance Stuff” at this URL http://home.indy.net/~orange/sophiesdancestuff.htm
Books of Interest
Orchesography by Thoinot Arbeau from 1589 (French) ISBN# 0486217450
Courtly Dance of the Renaissance by Fabrito Caroso from 1600 (Italian) ISBN# 0486286193
The English Dancing Master, Vol. 1 by John Playford from 1651 (English) ISBN# 0903102803
These titles are all available on Amazon.com
Websites of Interest
Del’s Dance Book Site: http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/del/
This website contains the complete printable version of Del’s Dance Book, it also contains music (MIDI format) and steps for each dance with links to brief video explanations. This is an inexhaustible source for medieval, Renaissance, and SCA dances.
Renaissance Dance Cheat Sheets Site: http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/sca_dance_steps.html
This site contains the Cheat Sheets used in this presentation along with some 50 other dances. It also contains links to other resources (sheet music, etc.)
Eric’s SCA Dance & Music Page: http://sca.uwaterloo.ca/~praetzel/sca-music.html
This site contains a wealth of information, links to mp3’s, and RealAudio files. It is a bit hard to navigate.
Other Music Links of Interest
A Guide to Medieval and Renaissance Instruments: http://www.s-hamilton.k12.ia.us/antiqua/instrumt.html
Pictures and sounds of medieval instruments
Cantaria: http://www.chivalry.com/cantaria/
Medieval and Renaissance Song Lyrics and Recordings
Caution: Some of these may be a bit "bawdy”!