Law students’ Ball c.1600
(Anne Daye)
The profession of law and legal training in England has been organised since medieval times through the Inns of Court in London. In Elizabethan and Jacobean times (c.1550 - 1650), students from all over England lodged in one of the inns, while studying with senior members of the legal community. Each Inn had a long tradition of communal celebrations, such as the Grand Days for dancing, music and plays held at Hallowmas (November 1st) and Candlemas (February 2nd). A number of manuscripts have survived to give us information on the dances they enjoyed and the organisation of the balls. Judges presided over the Grand Days, and senior lawyers ensured that the dancing was kept up in style. The norm was for the men to dance together, while women were invited in for special occasions.
In this workshop, participants will learn the English form of almains and courantes, called ‘the measures’. Following this warm-up, dancers will explore a proposed English version of the Spanish Pavan developed from Arbeau and Caroso as a basis for improvisation. The homosocial dancing at the Inns also included a dance for the nine muses, for which we can identify the tune to accompany the choreography. I propose that this was danced by nine men, as a symbol of peace.
The eight known manuscripts dated 1568 - 1672 relating to dancing at the Inns of Court are the only sources for social dancing in England (until the publication of country dances by Playford in 1651), and the Nine Muses dance is a unique choreography for an ensemble.
Anne Daye, Bedford, Grossbritannien:
Dr. Anne Daye is an experienced teacher and dance leader. Her core research both practical and theoretical concerns the Renaissance dance culture of the Elizabethan and Stuart courts, leading to a doctoral thesis on the Jacobean masque. Her interest in dancing in England then continues with the country dance in the 18th and 19th centuries, with a special focus on the dancing scene of Jane Austen’s world. Anne is Director of Education and Research for the Historical Dance Society.
