The music for this dance is “Danse Royale”, a tune from the middle ages labeled as a “Ductia” in several sources in which it appears. The steps have been composed by Tim Dawson, in an attempt to recreate a dance that could reasonably possibly have been done to this music.
The tune was evidently a dance tune. “Ductia” and “Carole” both appear in manuscripts as references to types of dance, and the meter of the tune strongly indicates that it is suitable for dancing.
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Step Descriptions |
We are reasonably certain from period sources that both the ductia and the carole were danced in a circle. The closest steps we have for circle dances are bransle steps, and so bransle steps have been selected as a logical choice for this dance. In addition to the bransle steps, two “ending” steps have been invented for use in this dance. The dance is done in a circle, with or without partners, and all steps are done side to side as in a bransle. |
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Open ending |
To do an open ending, do a single to the left, and then kick the left foot into the air, and then kick the right foot into the air. After this ending, the next step will be to the right, because your right foot is raised after the kick. |
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Closed ending |
To do a closed ending left and right, do a step to the left without closing the feet, and then a step to the right without closing feet. You will then be ready to move on the left foot. To do a closed ending right and left, do a step to the right without closing feet, and then a step to the left without closing feet. You will then be ready to move on the right foot. |
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Figure 1 |
Double left then right, then an open ending. Double right then left, then a closed ending right and left. |
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Figure 2 |
Single right, single left, double right, then an open ending. Single right, single left, double right, then a closed ending left and right. |
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Figure 3 |
Double left, single right, single left, open ending. Double right, single left, single right, closed ending left and right. |
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