contredanse anglaise

The term "contredanse anglaise" refers to a specific type of country dance that originated in England and was later adapted in France. Country dances are social dances for multiple couples, characteristic of the British Isles. Initially, in England after 1550, "country dancing" was a term for upper-class dances, though similar folk traditions existed among rural populations.1

These dances typically involved formations like circles or longways sets (double lines of couples). The English country dance influenced dances in other countries, including North America, where it evolved into the "contra" or "longways" dance, such as the Virginia reel. The French "contredanse" was initially based on English country dances, using longways formations, and later incorporated square formations, leading to dances like the cotillion and quadrille.123