Dances in The English Dancing Master (John Playford, 1651, London)

An online copy of the original may be found here.

Feb-2026

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
The Old Mole ~ Hume		John Playford 1651 Colin Hume 2025	Colin Hume	3 Couple Longways

Sep-2025

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Confesse, his Tune ~ Hume		John Playford 1651	Colin Hume	Custom3

Jan-2025

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Halfe Hannikin ~ Cook		John Playford 1651 Tom Cook Playford Assembly	Colin Hume	Circle as many as will

Nov-2024

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Marriners		John Playford 1651 George Williams 2024	Strong Roots Bare Necessities	Circle as many as will
Row Well, Ye Mariners ~ Williams		John Playford 1651 George Williams 2024	Strong Roots Bare Necessities	Circle as many as will
Newcastle ~ Revels		John Playford 1651 Santa Barbara Revels 2024	Colin Hume	Square

Aug-2024

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Labour in Vain ~ Sharp		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1912	Bare Necessities	3 Couple Longways
Shepherd's Holiday ~ Sharp		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1912	Bare Necessities	3 Couple Longways
Upon a Summer's Day ~ Sharp		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1912	Colin Hume	3 Couple Longways
The Health ~ Sharp#1		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1916	Colin Hume	4 Couple Longways
The Merry Wassail ~ Sharp#1		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1916	Colin Hume	4 Couple Longways
Adson's Saraband ~ Sharp		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1912	Brett Larsen	3 Couple Longways
Argeers ~ Sharp		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1912	Bare Necessities	Facing Couples

Feb-2024

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Edinburgh Castle ~ Hume		John Playford 1651 Colin Hume 2023	Colin Hume	3 Couple Longways
Hit and Misse ~ Hume		John Playford 1651 Colin Hume 2023	Colin Hume	Facing Couples
Hit or Miss		John Playford 1651 Colin Hume 2023	Colin Hume	Facing Couples
Scotch Cap ~ Hume		John Playford 1651 Colin Hume 2023	Colin Hume	3 Couple Longways

Aug-2022

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Newcastle ~ Barraclough		John Playford 1651 Michael Barraclough 2001	Colin Hume	Square
Newcastle United		John Playford 1651 Michael Barraclough 2001	Colin Hume	Square

Jul-2022

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Cuckles all a Row		Lovelace Manuscript ~1649 George Williams 2022	A Playford Ball Bare Necessities	Facing Couples
Cuckolds all a Row ~ Lovelace		Lovelace Manuscript ~1649 George Williams 2022	A Playford Ball Bare Necessities	Facing Couples
Cuckolds all a Row ~ Barraclough		Lovelace Manuscript ~1649 Michael Barraclough ~2017	A Playford Ball Bare Necessities	Facing Couples
Cuckolds all Awry ~ Barraclough		Lovelace Manuscript ~1649 Michael Barraclough ~2017	A Playford Ball Bare Necessities	Facing Couples
Labour in Vain ~ Hume		John Playford 1651 Colin Hume 1995	Colin Hume	3 Couple Longways
Shepherd's Holiday ~ Hume		John Playford 1651 Colin Hume 1995	Colin Hume	3 Couple Longways

Feb-2022

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Mage on a Cree ~ Pat Shaw		John Playford 1651 Pat Shaw 1961	Colin Hume	Square
The Health ~ Pat Shaw		John Playford 1651 Pat Shaw 1964	Colin Hume	4 Couple Longways
The Merry Frolic ~ Pat Shaw		John Playford 1651 Pat Shaw 1964	Colin Hume	4 Couple Longways
The Merry Wassail ~ Pat Shaw		John Playford 1651 Pat Shaw 1964	Colin Hume	4 Couple Longways

Jan-2022

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Confesse, his Tune ~ Cecil Sharp		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1912	Colin Hume	Custom3
Confesse, his Tune ~ Pat Shaw		John Playford 1651 Pat Shaw 1960	Colin Hume	Custom3
The Court Lady ~ Cecil Sharp		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1912	Colin Hume	Custom3
The Court Lady ~ Pat Shaw		John Playford 1651 Pat Shaw 1960	Colin Hume	Custom3

Dec-2021

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
The Boatman ~ Pat Shaw		John Playford 1651 Pat Shaw 1966	A Playford Ball Bare Necessities	3 Couple Longways
All in a Garden Green ~ Modern		John Playford 1651 Scott Pfitzinger ~2019	Colin Hume	3 Couple Longways permutation: 231
All in a Garden Green ~ Playford		John Playford 1651 Scott Pfitzinger ~2019	Colin Hume	3 Couple Longways
Kettle Drum		John Playford 1651 Scott Pfitzinger ~2019	MGM and Reunion	Square

Oct-2021

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Jack Pudding ~ Lovelace		Lovelace Manuscript ~1649 George Williams 2021	Colin Hume	Custom permutation: 231
The Merry Andrew ~ Lovelace		Lovelace Manuscript ~1649 George Williams 2021	Colin Hume	Custom permutation: 231

Sep-2021

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Parson's Farewell ~ Hume		John Playford 1651 Colin Hume 2020	Bare Necessities	Facing Couples Becket
Newcastle ~ Hume		John Playford 1651 Colin Hume 2016	Colin Hume	Square
Millison's Jigg ~ Hume		John Playford 1651 Colin Hume 2011	Colin Hume	3 Couple Longways
Grimstock ~ Davies		John Playford 1651 Rhodri Davies 2020	Colin Hume	3 Couple Longways
Grimstock ~ Hume		John Playford 1651 Colin Hume 2020	Colin Hume	3 Couple Longways

Aug-2021

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Drive the Cold Winter Away ~ Sharp		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1922	Colin Hume	4 Couple Longways
Mundesse		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1922	MGM and Reunion	3 Couple Circle
Row Well, Ye Mariners ~ Sharp		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1912	Bare Necessities	7 Couple Longways
Drive the Cold Winter Away ~ Bolton		John Playford 1651 Charles Bolton 2003	Colin Hume	3 Couple Longways permutation: 231

Jul-2021

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Millison's Jigg ~ Bolton		John Playford 1651 Charles Bolton 2000	Colin Hume	3 Couple Longways
Millison's Jigg ~ Williams		John Playford 1651 George Williams 2021	Colin Hume	3 Couple Longways permutation: 231
If all the World were Paper ~ Sharp		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1912 Playford Assembly	Colin Hume	Square
Petticoat Wag		John Playford 1651 Charles Bolton 1989	Bare Necessities	4 Couple Longways
The Taylor's Daughter		John Playford 1651 Charles Bolton 1989	Bare Necessities	4 Couple Longways

May-2021

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Fain I Would ~ Hume		John Playford 1651 Colin Hume	Bare Necessities	Square
Parthenia ~ Hume		John Playford 1651 Colin Hume	Bare Necessities	Square
Bobbin Jone		Lovelace Manuscript ~1649 Colin Hume 2013	Colin Hume	Duple Minor
Bobbing Joe ~ Hume		Lovelace Manuscript ~1649 Colin Hume 2013	Colin Hume	Duple Minor

Apr-2021

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
The Friar and the Nun		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1912	Colin Hume	Duple Minor
The Fryar and the Nun		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1912	Colin Hume	Duple Minor

Feb-2021

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
My Lady Cullen		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1911	Colin Hume	Duple Minor
Upon a Summer's Day ~ Playford Ball		John Playford 1651 John Playford 1994 Playford Ball	Colin Hume	3 Couple Longways
Step Stately		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1916 Playford Ball	Colin Hume	3 Couple Longways
Step Stately ~ Hume		John Playford 1651 Colin Hume 1995	Colin Hume	5 Couple Longways
Parson's Farewell ~ Sharp		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1911 Playford Ball	Bare Necessities	Facing Couples
The Old Mole ~ Sharp		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1912 Playford Ball	Colin Hume	3 Couple Longways
The Merry, Merry Milkmaids		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1912 Playford Ball	At Home Bare Necessities	4 Couple Longways

Jan-2021

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Mage on a Cree ~ Sharp		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1911 Playford Ball	Colin Hume	Square
Lull Me Beyond Thee		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1912 Playford Ball	Bare Necessities	4 Couple Longways
Harts Ease		Lovelace Manuscript ~1649 Cecil Sharp 1916 Playford Ball	Bare Necessities	Facing Couples
The Health ~ Sharp#2		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1916 Playford Ball	Colin Hume	4 Couple Longways
Heart's Ease		Lovelace Manuscript ~1649 Cecil Sharp 1916 Playford Ball	Bare Necessities	Facing Couples
Heartsease		Lovelace Manuscript ~1649 Cecil Sharp 1916 Playford Ball	Bare Necessities	Facing Couples
The Merry Wassail ~ Sharp		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1916 Playford Ball	Colin Hume	4 Couple Longways

Dec-2020

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Gathering Peascods		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1911 Playford Ball	Colin Hume	Circle as many as will
Grimstock ~ Sharp		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1911 Playford Ball	Colin Hume	3 Couple Longways
Jenny Pluck Pears		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1911 Playford Ball	Bare Necessities	3 Couple Circle
Labour in Vain		John Playford 1651 John Playford 1994 Playford Ball	Bare Necessities	3 Couple Longways
Shepherd's Holiday ~ Playford Ball		John Playford 1651 John Playford 1994 Playford Ball	Bare Necessities	3 Couple Longways
Fain I Would ~ Sharp		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1912 Playford Ball	Bare Necessities	Square
Parthenia ~ Sharp		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1912 Playford Ball	Bare Necessities	Square
Chestnut		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1911	A Playford Ball Bare Necessities	3 Couple Longways
Dove's Figary		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1911	A Playford Ball Bare Necessities	3 Couple Longways
The Beggar Boy		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1911 Playford Ball	Bare Necessities	3 Couple Longways
Broom, The Bonny, Bonny Broom ~ Pat Shaw		John Playford 1651 Pat Shaw 1972	Bare Necessities	4 Couple Longways
Broom, The Bonny, Bonny Broom ~ Sharp		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1912 Playford Ball	Bare Necessities	4 Couple Longways
Ay Me ~ Playford Ball		John Playford 1651 John Playford 1994 Playford Ball	Colin Hume	4 Couple Longways
Aye Me ~ Callens		John Playford 1651 Philippe Callens ~2018 Playford Ball	Colin Hume	4 Couple Longways
Aye Me ~ Playford Ball		John Playford 1651 John Playford 1994 Playford Ball	Colin Hume	4 Couple Longways
Aye Me ~ Sharp		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1916 Playford Ball	Colin Hume	4 Couple Longways
The Symphony		John Playford 1651 Philippe Callens ~2018 Playford Ball	Colin Hume	4 Couple Longways
The Symphony		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1916 Playford Ball	Colin Hume	4 Couple Longways
The Symphony ~ Playford Ball		John Playford 1651 John Playford 1994 Playford Ball	Colin Hume	4 Couple Longways
Argeers ~ Playford Ball		John Playford 1651 John Playford 1994 Playford Ball	Bare Necessities	Facing Couples
Argeres		John Playford 1651 John Playford 1994 Playford Ball	Bare Necessities	Facing Couples
The Wedding Night		John Playford 1651 John Playford 1994 Playford Ball	Bare Necessities	Facing Couples

Nov-2020

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Confesse, his Tune ~ Palmer		John Playford 1651 William Palmer 1987 Playford Ball	Colin Hume	Custom3
The Court Lady ~ Palmer		John Playford 1651 William Palmer 1987 Playford Ball	Colin Hume	Custom3

Oct-2020

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
If all the World were Paper ~ P. Shaw		John Playford 1651 Pat Shaw 1964 Playford Assembly	Colin Hume	Square

Sep-2020

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Row Well, Ye Mariners ~ Bolton		John Playford 1651 Charles Bolton 1992 Playford Assembly	Strong Roots Bare Necessities	Circle as many as will

Aug-2020

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Maiden Lane		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp (mod) 1912 Playford Assembly	Colin Hume	3 Couple Longways permutation: 231
Dargason		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1911 Playford Ball	Bare Necessities	Custom
Jack Pudding ~ Playford		Lovelace Manuscript ~1649 Colin Hume 1998 Playford Assembly	Colin Hume	3 Couple Longways permutation: 231
The Merry Andrew ~ Playford		Lovelace Manuscript ~1649 Colin Hume 1998 Playford Assembly	Colin Hume	3 Couple Longways permutation: 231
The Sedany		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1911 Playford Ball	Bare Necessities	Custom
Halfe Hannikin ~ Sharp		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1916 Playford Assembly	Colin Hume	Circle as many as will
Goddesses		Lovelace Manuscript ~1649 Cecil Sharp 1911 Playford Assembly	Colin Hume	4 Couple Longways

Mar-2020

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
The Boatman ~ Playford Ball		John Playford 1651 John Playford 1994 Playford Ball	A Playford Ball Bare Necessities	3 Couple Longways
The Boatman ~ Sharp		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1916	A Playford Ball Bare Necessities	3 Couple Longways
Hit and Misse ~ Sharp		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1916 Playford Ball	Bare Necessities	Facing Couples
Hit or Miss		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1916 Playford Ball	Bare Necessities	Facing Couples

Dec-2019

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Cuckolds all a Row ~ Sharp		Lovelace Manuscript ~1649 Cecil Sharp 1911 Playford Ball	A Playford Ball Bare Necessities	Facing Couples
Cuckolds all Awry ~ Sharp		Lovelace Manuscript ~1649 Cecil Sharp 1911 Playford Ball	A Playford Ball Bare Necessities	Facing Couples
Hey, Boys, up Go We (Sharp)		Lovelace Manuscript ~1649 Cecil Sharp 1911 Playford Ball	A Playford Ball Bare Necessities	Facing Couples
Adson's Saraband ~ Playford Ball		John Playford 1651 John Playford 1994 Playford Ball	Brett Larsen	3 Couple Longways

Sep-2019

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Edinburgh Castle ~ Sharp		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1916 Playford Ball	Bare Necessities	3 Couple Longways
Scotch Cap ~ Sharp		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1916 Playford Ball	Bare Necessities	3 Couple Longways
Rufty Tufty		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1911 Playford Ball	Bare Necessities	Facing Couples

Aug-2019

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Hide Parke		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1912 Playford Ball	Bare Necessities	Square
Hyde Park		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1912 Playford Ball	Bare Necessities	Square
Newcastle ~ Sharp		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1911 Playford Ball	Colin Hume	Square

Number of dances	Number of versions	Number with music
82	82	82

This list contains all dances in the book which I have animated (and which first appeared in this edition of the Dancing Master) for a complete list of dances in the book see here.

This website is copyright © 2021-2026 by George W. Williams V
My work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Most of the dances have more restrictive licensing, see my notes on copyright, the individual dance pages should mention when some rights are waived.