Medieval Dance
Amongst the many types of entertainment that took place, dance was one of the most active and common social activity to occur. Apart from social reasons it was performed for various other reasons which include:

• tradition
  
• culture
  
• religion


• celebration


• physical fitness


• military training, it was used because of the stamina it built,agility it required and also the fast footwork.
  

Often dance, being a form of human expression was performed at parties, celebrations or coronations to express feelings of joy and praise. It became a normal part of everday life since most of it occured at after dinner dances and other social events.

Dances

Although records that dance occured in the middle ages is hard to come buy, evidence has been acquired through varius forms such as art adn written works by historians such as Aristotle. From this evidence the following dances and some of their oigins can be named:

• Estampida, Spain
  
• Saltarello, Italy
  
• The Nota, England
  
• The Round, France
  
• Grocheio
  
• Pizochara


• Piva


• Ductia


• Ronde


• Farandole

Impact

Throughout the middle ages the importance of courtesy was crucial. Nowadays medieval dance is taught sometimes to show girls and boys the important of courtesy and the respectful way opposites sexes should treat each other as shown in the illustration above. Men were expected to behave in a courtly manner and women in an elegant manner.

Medieval dance is also taught as an active way of teaching history. Since evidence of medieval dance is limited some choose to teach its artform as a way of maintaining its existence amongst history in generations to come.

Bibliography

http://www.shoshone.k12.id.us/medieval/dance.htm#Simpledance

http://www.the-orb.net/encyclop/culture/music/kendall.htm

http://www.freeflowdance.com/medievaldance.php?&width=1024

http://www.shoshone.k12.id.us/medieval/dance.htm#Simpledance

All websites were viewed between the following dates: 29th September & 28th October, 2008.