Grayson West
Just imagine a medieval hall alive with swishing gowns and thumping boots. Dancing filled the air with energy and laughter while people connected across social lines. These moves weren’t just entertainment—they shaped culture. Let’s spin, stomp, and step through history to uncover the dances that kept Europe moving for centuries.
Estampie
Nobles and musicians at that time treasured the Estampie for its intricate rhythmic structure. The name’s connection to stamping feet hints at its probable dance origins. Some historical records suggest performers would both play and move to these engaging melodies, and modern scholars view it as one of the earliest examples of medieval instrumental dance music.
Carole
This dance consisted of a simple circular formation. Dancers joined hands and moved clockwise while a leader sang verses, and the group responded with refrains. Such widely documented secular dance spread across Western Europe during the 12th and 13th centuries, known as “ronde” in northern France.
Branle
The graceful side-stepping motions of the Branle brought medieval communities together in circles and lines of connected dancers. Their synchronized movements and linked hands created a powerful sense of unity. Certain theatrical elements, such as animal mimicry, added to the entertainment value.
Ductia
This was a form of medieval dance music, likely popular in the 13th and 14th centuries. Known for its repeating melodic patterns, it provided a framework for movement, even though no detailed choreography has survived. While little is known about its specific steps, the ductia illustrates how music guided early European dance traditions.
Saltarello
The lively Saltarello brought Italian gatherings to life with its distinctive jumping steps. Its name stems from “saltare,” which reflected the dance’s bouncing nature. Its popularity soared during the 14th and 15th centuries. The dance’s rhythmic patterns proved so compelling that they influenced Renaissance compositions and even appeared in Mendelssohn’s 19th-century works.
Farandole
The streets of medieval Provence came alive when villagers joined the Farandole, a traditional chain dance that wound through public spaces. Led by an experienced dancer, participants held hands and followed intricate pathways to upbeat melodies. In fact, this festive tradition still endures in select French villages.
Trotto
The Trotto was a lively medieval dance that appears in 14th-century Italian manuscripts. Its name, meaning “trot,” reflects the quick, running rhythm that made it so engaging. The repetitive, energetic steps likely appealed to dancers who enjoyed fast-paced movement, though exact choreographies were never formally recorded.
Ballata
Italian courts resonated with the melodic beauty of the Ballata, a sophisticated 14th-century creation that paired fluid dance steps with poetic storytelling. The format’s alternating verses and refrains further created perfect opportunities for both singers and dancers. Even the legendary Giovanni Boccaccio composed these enchanting pieces.
Tresque
Traditional festival celebrations in medieval Provence featured the dynamic Tresque, a group dance performed in circular formation. The participants’ quick stepping and stomping created powerful percussion that energized entire villages. This beloved dance style has also contributed movement patterns that continue to be found in European folk traditions today.
Chorea
The graceful movements of the dance echoed through religious ceremonies, festive gatherings, and elaborate pageants. Groups of participants formed circles or chains, their hands linked as they moved in harmony. These ancient patterns of dance even date back to classical times, leaving a lasting legacy in today’s choreographic arts.