Stevenage Sword Dancers - Buffens Dance

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Uploaded by on Jul 4, 2007

Stevenage Sword Dancers (from Hertfordshire, UK) dancing the 16th century 'Buffens' dance as recorded by Thoinot Arbeau in his 'Orchesography'

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Uploader Comments (80pete08)

  • hi, I just picked up on this.

    Arbeau has illustrations of MALE dancers in light costumes. He says that any 'amazon-like' females willing to don such costumes can also participate.

    Like most groups, the expression 'passent a leurs mains droictes' has been translated as pass right shoulder to right shoulder. WRONG, it means go to the right of the guy you're changing places with! I despair! Everyone does it like this, so it must be right...

    try it. it's much easier and logical.

  • As far as I'm concerned anyone capable can do it in any costume they choose. Stevenage Sword's kit is designed for rapper so we wear it for all our dances. As for the passing side, it makes sense (to me) to keep your sword between you and an opponent. You may well be right but we like it this way.

  • My folk dancing troupe does this one in the states but quite a bit faster than this. It's neat to see it out here. I'll have to get mine up on here someday. Vive Arbeau!

  • ..and we are much faster than the 50/60s group we picked it up from. I'd like to see a film of your version. Which dance group are you with?

    Pete

    PS also look for 'North British' and 'Thrales Rapper' My other teams, so I would say that :)

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  • Hi, I hope you don't find my comments unkind. If you ever did some fencing you would realise that this is not the case. AND: you are constantly pulling the sword back to be able to pass the other guy without having his nose off. This is dangerous in itself. It is surely better to keep the swords in contact as you change places, logical as a fencer, logical as a dancer (keeping things coordinated) and looking better. I did like the video by the way. See you in Upton 2010?

  • Trousers and shirts, that is cheating! ;-)

    Try to perform it with four ladies in full late 16th C. costume including hooped skirt, long sleeves, heavy velvet and jewellery hanging down from the waist.

  • Capriol Suite's 6th movement is based on this (the MATTACHINS)

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