Washerwoman's Branle/Branle des Lavendieres
Arbeau writes:
"This mimed branle is called the Washerwoman's Branle because by clapping their hands, the dancers make a noise like the women beating the washing on the banks of the Seine." He also wrote that the dancers shook their fingers at each other in the character of the washerwoman.
In general, people didn't mess around with washerwomen. How strong would you be if you lifted wet clothing all day?
Only wealthy people had much clothing. People wore clothing that suited their occupations and stations in life. Most people wore a chemise under their outer clothing. Ladies frequently wore petticoats, underskirts and overskirts. Think how much their clothing weighed! No wonder ladies couldn't do big jumps. Gentlemen had their legs free - they were able to leap and jump, and make capriols (beats of the legs) and flourishes with their legs.
Notation
A: d lt, d rt. Repeat
B: face partner and (each to s/his own left and right) S lt, S rt, S lt, S rt
C: All moving in circle: d lt and clap on each count, d rt, d lt and clap on each count, d rt turning CCW
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