french sources
More sources can be found on the dances of the 16th century, which are still quite simple - the same linear movements and simple steps. A curious book published in Latin in the early 16th century - a manual by Antonius Arena, written in elegiac distich and full of macaronic expressions - describes basse danse and is probably one of the last contemporary sources on this dance. Considering the description of steps, general movement had already become heavier and less floating. At the same time, the corset and farthingale (hoopskirt) had appeared in women's clothing. Another wonderful collection of descriptions of 'ballroom' dances was published, proceeding partly from his sense of ethnographic mission, by Thoinot Arbeau (Jehan Tabourot) in the late 16th century. Most of the dances are extremely simple, a large part of them are simply games played in a company. Comparing them with the choreographies of very complicated Italian dances of the time, we could guess that Arbeau, who was already an old man, had rather described the dances of his youth than the contemporary ones. The most obvious reason could, however, rather be social than national - Italian dance masters taught the nobility, but Arbeau was bourgeois and his book was meant for the bourgeoisie. Still, this is an extremely praiseworthy book, discussing ballroom dancing in general and excellently describing the steps.
Sources: Thoinot Arbeau Orchesographie and manuals by Antonius Arena (1528) and Jacques Moderne (1532). |