English country dance

The English country dance is a very social type of folk dance. It started during the English Renaissance from the 15th through 17th centuries. This dance was popular until the 19th century in Europe, the United States and American colonies.

This dance came back in the early 20th century. It is done mostly in North America and around Britain.

There are many versions: clockwise, counter-clockwise, cross-over, double and the figure of 8.

English Country Dance Media

• English country dancing in Manhattan in May 2024.webm

  English country dancing in Manhattan in May 2024

• Softly Good Tummas at YDW 2024.webm

  The English country dance "Softly Good Tummas" (1718) at Youth Dance Weekend 2024 in Vermont

• Andre Lorin.jpg

  Lorin's contradanse choreography, one of the earliest western dance notations

• The "La Trénis" figure of the Contredanse, an illustration from Le Bon Genre, Paris, 1805

• StateLibQld 1 201235 Country dance, Helenvale, ca. 1910.jpg

  Country dance, Helenvale, Queensland, Australia, about 1910

• English country dancing at Pinewoods.webm

  Contemporary English country dancing at Pinewoods Camp in Massachusetts, U.S.