Colin Hume presents a new interpretation of an old dance.
Henry Playford published this dance in The Dancing Master 10th Edition of 1698. Presumably the event being celebrated was the joint coronation of William and Mary in 1689. William died in 1702 and his cousin and sister-in-law Anne became Queen, but Playford couldn't have been anticipating that in 1698 – William was only 52 when he died of an illness.
I think Cecil Sharp's interpretation is awkward and not what Playford meant; if you want to see my reasoning please visit colinhume.com/instr.htm
Format: Longways duple minor
A1: (4 bars) Ones lead down (inside hand) and then cross over and face while twos wide cast up.
A2: Twos lead down and then cross over and face while ones wide cast up.
B1: (8 bars) Second corner positions (1M 2L) pass L; partners circle face to face right half-way on the side (with partner). Second corner positions (1L 2M) pass L; partners circle again right half-way on the side (with neighbour). Now progressed and proper.
B2: First couple lead up, second couple move down the outside; all turn single away from neighbour (ones up, twos down). Ones cross, cast as twos lead up, cross again into progressed place.
I tried out this interpretation at the Christmas Course in the Netherlands last year. It worked, but it's very busy for both caller and dancers; one person said I sounded like a commentator at a horse race.
Download the PDF score
