Breton Branle

The branle Breton (Branle de Bretagne), also called the Trihory of Brittany, is found in Orchesography by Thoinot Arbeau.

Steps Used

• Double left (DL)
• Pied en l'air gauche or kick left (KL)
• Pied en l'air droit or kick right (KR)

Choreography

As with all branles, this dance is performed in a line of people holding hands or, if enough people are present, a circle. It is not necessary for the dancers to be paired into partners.

Verse

DL, ending with KL Spring to the left, landing pieds joints KL KR KL (on 6 & 7)

Alternative ending on 6 & 7: Hold up both heels to R, same to L, hold up R heel to R with KL

It is not clear why the figure has two different endings; maybe the second ending was supposed to be used after the first (though there is no indication of how the dancers would know when to use it), or else the second might have been intended as a more exact and complete version.