The Arbeau Branles

June writes in her foreword :-

The group of Arbeau Branles and Branles Coupés appeared in 1986 as part of the ongoing series ‘Nonsuch: Early Dance vol. iv’ by Peggy Dixon. These books and tapes were originally produced on a shoestring specifically for use at Nonsuch Summer Schools, and at time the music the music notation for them was not included.

In the year before she died, Peggy extracted these same Branles with the intention of publishing the set in a book. Once again she used the second printing of Thoinot Arbeau’s ‘Orchesography (1956)’, this time including the music notation from that edition.

But unfortunately the book was never completed as alas cancer overtook, and the lady who was determined to emulate her several very long-lived relatives died in 2005. This book hopefully finishes the work which she started.