Washerwoman's Branle.
Source: Orchesographie, written by Thoinot Arbeau and published in 1588-1589.
A lovely video of this simple but charming dance.
Steps.
The gentleman takes the lady's left hand in his right, with the next gentleman taking the lady's free right hand and so on for as many couples as will. The dance is done in a line and a circle.
- Step L, bring feet together, step L and bring feet together. 4 COUNTS.
- Step R, bring feet together, step R and bring feet together. 4 COUNTS.
- Step L, bring feet together, step L and bring feet together. 4 COUNTS.
- Step R, bring feet together, step R and bring feet together. 4 COUNTS. (16 total)
- Partners face each other and each takes a single step to the L 2 COUNTS
and brings their R foot together with their L one, moving in opposition to each other. - All take a single step to the R and bring their L foot together with 2 COUNTS
their R one. During this and the previous 2 counts the gentleman scolds the lady and she looks sad. - All take a single step L again, this time the lady scolds and the 2 COUNTS
gentleman looks sad. - All take a single step R again, with the lady scolding and the gentleman sad. 2 COUNTS
- All take hands as a line/circle and step L, bring feet together, 4 COUNTS
step L and bring feet together. - Step R, bring feet together, step R and bring feet together 4 COUNTS
while clapping 4 times. - All take hands as a line/circle and step L, bring feet together, 4 COUNTS
step L and bring feet together. - All jump and kick their L, then R, then L, turning 3/4 of the way around. 3 COUNTS
- Hop to complete the turn, take hands again. 1 COUNT
- Repeat. (40 counts total)
Notes.
- This is one of my new favorites of Arbeau's dances. Not very many groups do it, and I just can't understand that. People, especially kids, really seem to enjoy the miming part! Here is a really good video from the Library of Congress that provides a very nice study of a single couple demonstrating this medieval dance.
- In the notation from Arbeau the beginning sequence is described in doubles and singles, but for the purpose of my notations I try to avoid using any dance terms. To learn more about them you can read about them in the Courtesies section.
Resources.
- The Washerwoman's Branle. Entry in the Renaissance Dance Database. This offers links to dance cheat sheets, sheet music online and music downloads.
There are a couple MP3s of the Washerwoman's Branle available to buy on Amazon:
Suite "Orchésographique": Bransle des Lavandières (premier livre de danseries) has more traditional instrumentation.
Branle de Lavandieres I made my customary playlist of branles for you to use for practicing at home. Enjoy, and happy dancing!
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