Module Two: Historical dance

For my next module I am researching historical country dance in England.

I will be considering what dances could have been performed if a Ball was held at the Royal Pavilion in 1821 to celebrate the Coronation of George 4. George first visited Brighton in 1783, brought and developed the Royal Pavilion into a Royal Palace and spent time in Brighton. In 1811 he became Prince Regent as George 3 became ill and became King after George 3s death in 1820.

This is an interesting time for dancing. In 1650, John Playford published the English Dancing Master and it contained over 100 dances in many different formations and in modern country dance language included: longways, circles, squares. By 1700, the Country dance consisted of only longways dances. By the late 1700s, Cotillions from Europe had been introduced (these were square dances for four couple/eight people which contained figures from the country dances, so only two couples performed them at any one time). Slightly later in the early 1800s, Quadrilles were introduced (again square dances for  four couples, but the figures were more involved and generally involved all couples at the same time). Underlining these dances were the longways dances. But then, in 1814, the Waltz was introduced. Unlike the other dances at the time, the Waltz allowed close contact with members of the opposite sex! Scandalous to say the least and not universally accepted!  Would the Waltz be danced at the Royal Pavilion in 1821? That’s one of the questions I will try and answer.

Keep looking in as I progress with my enquiries.