MEDIEVAL

DANCE

Presented By: ARCE, CALIMAG, DAVID,

INSIGNE, EBALIDA, FAINGASON, POLINIO
 Introduction to
medieval Period

The middle ages

Began around 476 A.D. between the fall

of the Roman Empire in the 5th century

until the start of renaissance

Also referred to as the "Dark Ages"
 Medieval Dance History
Medieval Dance
Medieval Dance
History;
Dancing was a part of all
Dancing was a very reserved

types of celebrations that

practice and the church

could be formal and

played a crucial role in the

informal. development of medieval

The dances could be

dances.
simple or complex, sedate
The earliest documented
or energetic example of dance is a Middle

It contributed to the social

Ages folk dance movement

life of every level of

called the "Carole," which

society. was staged in the courts

It could involve a solo

throughout the 12th and

dancer, couples, or groups

13th centuries. Dancers

of any size, and was

would circle up in groups,

holding hands and singing

accompanied by music

as they went around the

that was either sung or

circle. Sadly, neither the

played on instruments of
original song's lyrics nor

all types. dancing moves have

survived.
 Characteristics of
Medieval Dance
Combination of circle and line dancing.
It also involved a lot of clapping and spinning steps.
Line dances were choreographed dances with repeated

steps.
Performed in one line or several rows
Some dances included tiptoeing and jumping steps, as

well as several curtseys

EXAMPLE/ TYPES OF DANCE

circle dance court dance line dance country dance

COURT DANCE
Dignified dance

performance done at

court

Includes tip toeing and

jumping steps as well as

courtesy dances
1.) Basse Dance
This was the most

popular court dance

Performed by two

partners using slow

and low movements,

almost appearing to

walk.
 2.) BLACK ALMAN
This is a passive

dance.
Movements are made

in procession
Mainly done in

entrance to a court.

https://youtu.be/ctzAIdny9NI
3.) Black Nag
A lively dance
performed by
three couples
using a verse and
chorus style
applied in country
dances.
https://youtu.be/Wx80ncPwNQs
4.) Rufty Tufty
Two couples perform

this dance.
They make many turns
and inter connect with

other couples as the

couples join the dance.

https://youtu.be/_3CnkOcapkE
COUNTRY DANCE
Identified by line dances or

circle dances with couple

facing each other or the

public.

Consists of clapping and

spinning
1.) Scottish Dances
Usually very lively dances

with plenty circular moves

and gliding steps.

National Scottish dances

consisted of the reel,

strathspeys (from the district

of Strath Spay) and flings.

2.) The Egg Dance

Named after a

popular Middle
It was

Age Easter game performed

during times

The dancers
of festivals

moved between
and

the eggs and try

celebrations.
to damage as little

eggs as possible.
3.) Ballet Ballet became a popular

dance in the late 1400’s.

Mostly used in European

courts

Full length shows with 5

acts, several entrees and

each entrees having a

quadrille.
4.) Quadrille
This dance is a

quadrille with 5

persons

participating, or 4

or more couples.
https://youtu.be/xLvt-Tss_mU
 5.) Pavan

A slow processional dance,

much the same as the

Black Alman, but it is done

in double time

Has its origin in Italy.

https://youtu.be/huRAxfTMups
6.) Farandole
Recognized by its

snake-like movements

The farandole dance is

also a line dance

 7.) Burgundian dance
There were no floor

patterns for the dance,

but it was typically

A dance from

danced as a couple

the late Middle

standing behind

Ages another.

The prominence of

Usually

showing togetherness

performed by
and a strong culture

nobles. was portrayed in their

dancing.
C. CIRCLE DANCES
The most oldest type of

medieval dance ever

known
 1.) Carole
Carole itself is a French word
Largely considered a French dance or a

dance of regions under a strong French

cultural influence.
A Medieval European danced in a ring,

chain, or linked circle, performed to the

singing of the dancers. An indefinite

number of persons participated, linking

arms and following the step of the leader.

The Carole came in two forms;

a. Branle - a circle dance
b. Farandole - often considered a line

dance, but is more of a broken circle dance

2.) Sellinger's Round A circle dance where couples form a

circle with the women being on their

partner’s right.

Men and women alternate steps

and turns

Performed to variations of the tune

“Sellinger's round” by the medieval

composer William Byrd.

https://youtu.be/jAE1bKMykKU
 3.) Official
Branle Branle is derived from

the French word

"branler" meaning "to

shake."

It is a dance performed where

couples in a circle move

mainly from side to side or in a

line and change partners at

https://youtu.be/hZdQwceu1HY
given times.
4.) Estampie
Replaced the Carola, or ring

dancing
Introduced line dancing

where couples faced the

public in lines instead of

dancing in a formed circle.

more instruments were used,

instead of singing.
5.) Saltarello
The Saltarello name

Originated in the

is derived from the

1400s in Central

Italian verb

Italy
“saltare” which

means "to jump"

Characterized by

according to

lively and leaping

musician and author

dance steps.
Lou Manzi in “Guitar

Atlas Italy: Your

It contains jump

Passport to a New

movements
World of Music.”
D. LINE 1.) PRINCE
DANCES WILLIAM
Choreographed
This style of dance is a

dance with
country dance and

repeated steps involves making

figure eight

Performed in one
movements around

line or several rows

bales of hay.
2.) La Spagna
Differs by starting using the right

foot instead of the left.

The ladies are always on the right

side of their partner.

Couples take each other’s right

hand and then turn to each other.

They move away from each other

dropping their hands. Then, they

move towards each other again,

turn to face the line again and then

join right hands again.

3.) The Morris
Dance Danced in medieval times around a

maypole with bells adorning their

knees and carrying sticks

representing swords.

A lively dance that honors Tom the

Piper, Maid Marian, Friar Tuck, and

Robin Hood. Like a result, they perform

while dressed as the mentioned

individuals.
4.) The Jig
The Jig was also very

much like the Black

Alman with several

kick, jumps and

aerobic type

movements
 MEDIEVAL
DANCE FOR
ROYALTY AND
NOBILITY
Kings and Queens are the

ones who usually send the

invitation.
Young nobles and royalties

greeted each other in form

of courtesy and would

dance slowly in circles.

Medieval Dance Moves
SINGLE STEP
Belongs to the most fundamental dance moves in Medieval period.
The dancer would the dancer would begin with the left foot, advance one

step, and then advance the right foot to meet it single-back.

SINGLE - BACK STEP

The left foot is brought back to meet the right foot after taking one step

backward with the right foot first.

Medieval Dance Moves
BRANSLE STEP and SLIP STEP
The dancer steps in one direction and puts the other foot together
The dancer takes a sideways skipping step
These were two more common actions in medieval dances.

There are still additional dance steps depending on the style of the

Medieval dance.
The bows and curtsies were another element that was typical to medieval

dances
 MUSIC USED IN
MEDIEVAL DANCE
The many styles of medieval dance led to a variety of dance

music.
Earlier medieval dances were accompanied by singing and

musical instruments.
Jingles, bells, long and side drums, kettle drums, tabors, and

tambourines were later utilized exclusively by some musicians

as instrumental variations on music.

 MEDIEVAL DANCE ATTIRE
Medieval dance costumes varied per class.

ROYALTY AND Women Men

NOBILITIES
They mostly wore gown that

Usually wore bold-colored

are made out of silk and

tunic with emblems

They usually
other expensive materials.
signifying their wealth and

Underneath those gowns,

wear more
influence.
women usually wore corsets

Some would carry sword

vivid, dramatic
and petticoats to give off

fitted on the right-hand side

that perfectly round shape

and luxurious
at the bottom of the gown.
of their belts
Usually paired with leather

attires. Headdresses are also

shoes and fur hats

popular to women
 MEDIEVAL DANCE ATTIRE
Medieval dance costumes varied per class.

PEASANTS Women Men

Usually wore their daily

clothing to medieval

Commonly
Wore dull-

dances
Most peasants during the
wore plain
colored

medieval times only had

one set of clothing but if

cut colored
woolen

they owned more than one,

dresses jackets and

they most likely wore the

more fashionably
shirts.
acceptable ones during

these occasions.
 QUESTION

1. WHAT DANCE BECAME

POPULAR DURING THE 1400S

AND WAS COMMONLY USED IN

EUROPEAN COURT?
 QUESTION

2. IT IS PERFORMED BY TWO

PARTNERS WITH SLOW AND

LOW MOVEMENTS AS IF

THEY'RE WALKING
 QUESTION

3. WHICH TYPE OF CIRCLE

DANCE ORIGINATED IN
CENTRAL ITALY BACK IN
1400S?
 ten10ten10cuti3ee

THANK YOU!
ebribadi