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Maypoles
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Maypoles |
| Originally based on the dances of the village green observed by Elizabeth I as she toured the country with her court (The Royal Progresses) . It was not until 1651, however that they were first published by John Playford in "The English Dancing Master". Tunes and dances such as Gathering Peascods, Sellenger's Round, Jenny Pluck Pears, Jamaica, Newcastle, Juice of Barley, Lilli Burlero, Portsmouth, Jack's Maggot and Hunsdon House became popular with all levels of society. Famous composers such as Handel, Beethoven and Purcell (whose lovely "Air VIII Hornpipe" became used for the dance "The Hole in the Wall") all wrote country dance tunes. The dances lost favour to the Waltz, Polka etc. in the 19th century but were revived by Cecil Sharp in the 20th. New tunes and dances in this style continue to be written. |
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The Ring |
The Star (or "Hands Across") |
The Hey For Three |
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The English Country Dance is essentially a figure dance which relies on patterns (imagined as tracks on the ground and as formations of dancers) being executed by the dancers in time to the music. Three basic patterns are the ring or circle, radial star shaped patterns and interwoven patterns known as "Heys" |
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Lead Up |
Side into line Right Shoulders |
Arm Right |
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| Many dances are in 3 parts (figures) introduced by 1: Leading up the room and back 4 steps (or circling left and right), 2: "Siding" with partners right and left. 3: "Arming" with partners, right and left. |
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Under the Arch |
Two hand turn |
Grand Chain (Circular Hey) |
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| Other figures include dancing under arches, turning partners 2 hands (or swinging them with a crossed arms hold) and various interwoven figures or heys. Circular heys are started by facing partners and passing alternately by right and left shoulders around a circle. Do this holding the ribbons of a maypole and the pattern of the dance will produce an actual woven pattern of the ribbons around the pole. Likewise dances are done holding long wooden slats (or Swords) leading to an interwoven "knot" of swords at the end, but this is Maypole and Sword Dancing. |
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You can give Country Dancing a try at WAT Dance, Earley Folk Dance Group or Reading Folk Dance Group |
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For schools interested in taking up the subject try TRAdition Dance And Music In Schools TRADAMIS |
