Medieval Dance Trivia Quiz

Answer: Charlotte

The Charlotte is one of the French mixed bransles as seen in "Orchesography" by Thoinot Arbeau (1589). All the others were in John Playfords "The English Dancing Master" (1651).

Answer: True

A Tourdion is merely a lower, more lively version of the galliard. The aerobic galliard (favourite dance of Queen Elizabeth I) is likely to be danced following the stately court dance type known as the Pavan.

Answer: La Guerre

La Guerre is Arbeau's fourth in the Mixed Bransle set (a circle dance). The others have appeared in various documents from France and Burgundy (such as the Brussels and Tholouze manuscripts or in Arbeau's Orchesography). Basse Dances are low, slow, courtly dances.

Answer: Domenico da Piacenza - "De Arte Saltandi & Choreas Ducendi"

The Frenchman Arbeau wrote his manuals independently in 1589. Caroso and Negri are the two great 16th century Italian dance masters and published their works in 1581 and 1602 respectively. Domenico wrote many balli (plural of ballo - i.e. dance) in 1455 which are essentially performance dances for the nobility.

The Gielosia is one of his 'flirty' creations and allegedly a favourite at the court of Duke Ferrara (1465-70).

Answer: Piva

A piva is the fastest and is danced in 2/4 time. A saltarello in 3/4 time, a Quadernaria or a march if you prefer is in 4/4 time and the bassadanza is the queen of measures and is danced at a slow and elegant 6/4 time.

Answer: False

In fact there are NO sources available to tell us how the courante was danced. Its existence is mentioned by Arbeau and a couple of steps mentioned but we have no idea how it is actually danced. In the movie "A Knights Tale", Will is asked if he would like to have a bassedance or a courante.

Answer: Spagnoletta

The Spagnoletta is a 16th century dance by Caroso. The others were by the three 15th century masters Domenico, Cornazano and Ebreo.

Answer: ballo del fiore

The man of course would have doffed his hat and be holding it in his irregular (left) hand with brim facing towards his thigh. His sword would be positioned behind him and parallel to the ground so as not to interfere with his dance steps. The lady would likely be holding her kerchief or fan in her right hand. Etiquette was very important to the Italians.

Answer: Allemande

An allemande is a western European line dance, usually involving a saltarello or hopping step. The Bear Dance is a modern interpretation of Russian dancing and the Mannschaft is a 20th century re-write of a traditional pavan. The other option is beneath comment.

Answer: "Fantasmata"

Fantasmata (a physical quickness which is controlled by the understanding of the misura) was a term invented by his master, Dommenico. "Aire" means to perform with a happy countenance and cheerfully. "Compartmento de Terrano" suggests that one be aware of the available space to dance in and to use that space wisely. "Diversita di Cose" is saying that you should dance in different styles so as to perform successive dances differently - "That which has been done once, do not repeat it immediately."