Official Branle
Easy; Even number of dancers
The Official Branle is a mixer. During the last part of the dance, the Men "take the Women by the waist and assist them to leap into the air, and are much hindered if they perforce must lft a damsel who will make no effort herself." So, the women should put their hands on the men's shoulders and jump! Arbeau indicates that the Gentleman turns to the right to lift the woman into the air, but this seems more difficult than for the Gentleman to turn CW to pick up the Lady and CCW to deposit the L to the space on his left side. Try it both ways and see what you think is best.
You will probably recognize the tune as "Ding Dong Merrily on High". It is an old French Carol that survives as this branle. The significance of the dance has been lost.
Notation
A: d lt, d rt, d lt, d rt.
B: S lt, S rt, S lt, S rt, S lt, S rt, G turn to their rt and lift L to the space on their lt. Repeat
Listen
Watch
