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Fantasy Guide to Balls
When we think of fantasy we think of castles and princesses and then we immediately think of ballrooms and dancing. After all, what court is complete without balls and feasts?
Types
Throughout time there have been many kinds of ball. In mediaeval times, a feast could be a nightly occurrence. The monarch would pay to host their friends and vassals for dinner and afterward would come the dancing. The first few years of Henry VIII's reign had feasts and masques almost daily if not weekly. As we come closer to Edwardian times, some balls abandoned the dinner aspect for dancing, music and gossiping.
Invite only
If the monarch announces a ball, they will send an invite to the nobility or the wealthy if their presence is either desired or cursory. Snubbing a noble of an invite would be seen as an insult, a very public one. No noble or guest can show up without an invite. That would be seen as impetuous and rude, almost the equivalent of wearing white to a wedding.
Precedent
When you step into the ballroom, sometimes you would be announced to the room or introduced to the royal family. There would be a special sequence in which this would happen. The highest ranking to the lowest ranking always. It would be a manor faux pas to announce a mere Lady before a Duchess.
Dancing
Actual dancing sometimes ran like bingo. A lady could have a dance card which she would ask her dance partners to sign as a keepsake. The men would dance to show their grace and manners whilst some might be chasing a new mistress and the ladies would dance to show their grace and skill. It could be considered scandalous for a woman to dance more than a single dance with a man which could lead to gossip.
Different kinds of historical dances
Carole
Ductia
Estampie (Istampitta)
Saltarello
Trotto
Farandole
Allemande
Basse danse
Branle
Canario
Coranto
Dompe
Galliard
La volta
Pavane
Sarabanda
Spagnoletta
Tourdion
Bourrée
Canary
Chaconne
Entrée grave
Forlana
Gavotte
Gigue
Loure
Menuet
Musette
Passacaille
Passepied
Rigaudon
Sarabande
Tambourin