Upper Class Tudor DancesUpper Class Tudor Dances
Tudor dances differed between the rich and the poor, the Upper and Lower Classes. The rich enjoyed new types of music at court which were accompanied by new court dances. These Tudor dances were highly sophisticated and stately with intricate steps although the old favorite English country dances from the Middle Ages were still popular. Many of the Court dances were performed as couples but the suggestive Tudor court dance called the Volt was the only dance which allowed the dancers to embrace closely. The most important Upper Class Tudor dances for the rich were the Pavan, Galliard and the Almain. Many Tudor courtiers travelled abroad and returned to the Tudor court with dances from Italy, Spain and France which had to be learnt and Dancing Masters were suitably employed. Tudor Dance - Famous Tudor Dancing Masters
The dancing requirements of the English Tudor court required the services of professional Dancing Masters. Many of the popular Tudor dances originated in Europe, notably in Italy, France and Spain. The most famous Dancing Masters of the Tudor period were Thoinot Arbeau (1520 - 1595), Fabritio Caroso (1536 - 1605) and Cesare Negri (1535-1604). These famous Tudor Dancing Masters each produced Dance Manuals which were printed and distributed. Various types of dance steps were included in these famous dance manuals including walking steps, cutting steps, sliding, stamping, leaping, jumping and hopping. Dancing was an essential skill for the rich Tudors who attended the royal court. List and description of Upper Class Tudor Dances
The following list details the dances specifically performed by the Tudor Upper Classes. It was impossible for many of these dances to be performed by the poor Lower Classes as many of the instruments used were expensive and large. In addition keyboard instruments were not suitable for outdoor use which is where the poor danced. This page describes the most popular Upper Class Tudor Dances. Upper Class Tudor Dance - The Pavane
The Pavane or Pavan was a stately court processional dance where Tudor couples paraded around the hall lightly touching fingers. Pavane means peacock and the name of the dance derives from the sight of the trains of the women's gowns trailing across the floor like a peacock's tail. It comprised of a pattern of five steps, hence its alternative name 'Cinque pas'. Upper Class Tudor Dance - Cinque Pas
The Cinque Pas meaning five steps, an alternative name for the Pavane, a stately court processional dance where Tudor couples paraded around the hall lightly touching fingers. Upper Class Tudor Dance - The Sinkapace
Sinkapace - Another name for a Pavane Upper Class Tudor Dance - The Galliard
The Galliard - A lively dance, originating from the fifteenth-century, which usually followed and complemented the Pavane. Upper Class Tudor Dance - The Almain
The Almain - the Almain was one of the Tudor principal dances which was accompanied by keyboard instruments and lute music Upper Class Tudor Dance - The Volt
The Volt, Volte, Lavolta - Tudor court dance was the only dance which allowed the dancers to embrace closely. In this suggestive dance the women were lifted high in the air by their male partner Upper Class Tudor Dance - The Gavotte
The Gavotte - became known as 'La Danse Classique'. Danced in couples in a circle to a medium tempo. Developed into Kissing dance which probably accounts for its popularity! Upper Class Tudor Dance - Courant
The Courant or Courante - Sophisticated, slow-moving dance which originated in France Upper Class Tudor Dance - Saraband
The Saraband - Another sophisticated, slow-moving dance which originated in France Upper Class Tudor Dance - Tourdion
The Tourdion - Similar to the Galliard but a little more sedate Upper Class Tudor Dance - The Saltarella
Saltarella, Saltarello, Salterello - a fast dance of Italian origin similar to the Galliard Upper Class Tudor Dance - The Canary
The Canary - a Spanish dance described as as 'gay but nevertheless strange and fantastic with a strong barbaric flavour'. Its popularity in France led to its importation into England.
Upper Class Tudor Dances
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