Mimed Bransles

 



The mimed bransles form a simple four-bransle set. These dances are easy to learn, and introduce the more common bransle steps with a bit of interplay between the partners using steps unique to each dance, which makes for a fun set of dances. The dances are all circle dances for couples, the lady stands on the man's left.

Each dance starts with the circle holding hands for the introduction, and then dropping hands for the theme.

 


Washerwoman's Bransle (Bransle les Lavandieres)

 


Introduction

DL DR DL DR

Optionally, during the doubles left, partners can flirt with each other. During the doubles right, the men flirt with the ladies on their right (not their partner), while the ladies flirt with the man on their left.

 


Theme

Partners turn 90° and face each other.

 



Men

SL SR

Wagging their fingers at the ladies in a scolding manner, the ladies stand with their hands on their hips.


Ladies

SL SR

As above, wagging their fingers at the men.

 



All dancers turn and face the center again.

 



All:

DL

During the double left the dancers clap their hands to the beat of the music.



DR

Double Right.



DL

Double Left, clapping as above.



KL KR KL Cp

Kick Left, Right, Left, and Jump, while turning in place over your left shoulder.

 


Pease Bransle (Branle des Pois)

 


Introduction

DL DR DL DR

 


Theme

Men:

Jump

Jump left on both feet, landing next to their partner.


Ladies:

Jump

Jump left on both feet, away from their partner.


Men:

Jump Jump Jump

Jump left with three smaller jumps, again landing next to their partner.


Ladies:

Jump

Jump left on both feet, away from their partner.


Men:

Jump

Jump left on both feet, landing next to their partner.


Ladies:

Jump Jump Jump

Jump left with three smaller jumps, away from their partner.

 


Shoes Bransle (Clog Bransle, Bransle des Sabots)

 


Introduction

DL DR DL DR

 


Theme

Men:

SL SR

Stamp 3 times with the right foot.


Ladies:

SL SR

Stamp 3 times with the right foot.

 


Horses Bransle (Bransle de Chevaulx)

 


Introduction

DL DR DL DR DL DR DL DR

This introduction is twice as long as the introduction for the other bransles in this set.

 


Theme

Men:

Paw Paw

Paw the ground twice with the right foot, imitating a horse.



SR




DL

Turning over the left shoulder, across the front of their partner, ending to the left of the partner (in other words, the men rotate around the circle one place to the left).1


Ladies:

Paw Paw

Paw the ground twice with the right foot.



SR DL

As above.

 



Repeat the theme.

 



Note that Arbeau actually says to do the dance with the man holding both of the lady’s hands. I assume that the couples would be in a line facing each other to do this.

 


1Arbeau just says to turn over the shoulder, however this reconstruction is the one most popular in Lochac.