Entertaining the Queen

The Dancing

Elizabethans enjoyed a wide range of dances from the stately pavane to the more energetic Brance de la Torche, Many dances were French or Italian in influence. Dances allowed for conversation between the dancers, though galliards and courantes were more passionate and energetic. As well as these formal elegant dances favoured by the upper and the middling sort, there were country dances enjoyed by people at all levels of society.