The Elizabethan Age Dance

The Elizabethan Age Dance

General Facts Dancing was an extremely popular past time during this time and was considered “a wholesome recreation of the mind and also an exercise of the body”. New music and instruments led to the creation of new dances The dances varied to the social classes Court dances enjoyed by royalty, nobility and upper classes were often imported from Italy, Spain, or France. These dance forms varied form the energetic Galliard to the refined Pavane  The lower classes enjoyed more traditional country dances such as the Jig, Morris dancing, the Brand, or the Brawle which were usually danced at festivals in Elizabethan, England

Upper Class Upper class enjoyed new types of music at court Dancing Masters were employed to teach the new dances These dances were highly sophisticated and had intricate steps, but the old country dances were still popular Many of the court dances were couples The Volt was the only dance which allowed the dancers to embrace closely The form of entertainment call the Masque was more popular with the upper class They were accompanied with music and dance at the beginning, end, and during the interludes The dances usually had names like the ‘Tinkernell’ and ‘Maske of Queens’ Dancing Masters each printed and distributed dance manuals It included different dance steps including walking steps, sliding, stamping, leaping, jumping, and hopping.

Queen Elizabeth I Encouraged music and dance Patron of all the Arts and encouraged composers and musicians Continued strenuous dancing into her late 50’s

Lower Class They only heard the new music and saw the intricate steps and fashion in theatre Dances were danced by couples in round or square sets Dances were repetitive They were passed down through generations Different types of country dances were popular with everyone Performed at fairs and festivals

Dances Upper Class Ballet – Italian dance established at the French court in the 16th Century The Canary – Spanish dance described as “strange and fantastic with a strong barbaric flavor”

Lower Class The Jig – Traditionally involved leaps

The Hornpipe – Lively dance resembling a jig. The dance became linked with sailors

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQ35ZkLkJJ4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2fRsxAFV4w&feature=related

Cites http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/elizabethan-dance.htm