The galliard (/ˈɡæljərd/; French: gaillarde; Italian: gagliarda) was a type of dance and music that was popular throughout Europe during the 16th century. It is written about in dance books from England, Portugal, France, Spain, Germany, and Italy.

Dance form

The galliard is a planned dance with specific, prearranged steps that match the music. In one measure of music, a galliard usually has five steps. In French, this basic step is called a cinq pas, and in Italian, it is called cinque passi. Sometimes, this step is written as sinkapace in English sources. The steps are: right, left, right, left, and a final step called a cadence.

The galliard is an athletic dance that includes jumps, leaps, and hops. The most important part of the galliard is a large jump called a cadence. After this jump, the dancer lands with one foot in front of the other. This landing is called the posture. Before the cadence, there are usually three quick hops with alternating feet. Most sources describe the movement starting with the left foot, then repeating the pattern with the right foot. A galliard pattern may also last twice as long, or even longer, which would include 11 steps or 17 steps.

The galliard was a favorite dance of Queen Elizabeth I of England. Even though it is a vigorous dance, in 1589, when the Queen was in her mid-fifties, John Stanhope of the Privy Chamber reported that she often danced six or seven galliards each morning, in addition to singing and playing music.

While the galliard is often performed as a complete dance, its steps are also used in other types of dances. For example, 16th-century Italian dance manuals by Fabritio Caroso (1581) and Cesare Negri (1602) include sections that feature galliard steps.

One special step used in a galliard is the lavolta. This step involves a close hold between a couple, with the woman lifted into the air and the pair turning 270 degrees within one six-beat measure. Some dancing teachers considered the lavolta to be inappropriate.

Another special step used in a galliard is the tassel kick (salto del fiocco). These steps appear in Negri’s manual and often end with a spin. Easier versions involve a single spin of 180 or 360 degrees. More advanced versions include multiple spins or spins of up to 540 degrees. During the spin, the dancer kicks out to touch a tassel hanging between the knee and waist height.

Musical form

Musical compositions in the galliard form were written and performed after the dance was no longer popular. In these compositions, the galliard was often used as a dance that came after another piece, written in 4/4 time, and followed its pattern. The galliard was written in 6/4 time. The pattern of six beats in each section can still be heard today in songs such as "God Save the King."

General sources

• Caroso, Fabritio (1581). Il ballarino. 2 volumes. Published in Venice by Francesco Ziletti. Reprinted in one volume as part of the Monuments of Music and Music Literature in Facsimile series, second series: Music Literature, number 46. Published in New York by Broude Brothers in 1967.
• Negri, Cesare (1602). Le Gratie d'amore. Published in Milan. Reprinted in two editions: (1) Bibliotheca musica Bononiensis, Section 2, number 104, published in Bologna by Forni Editore in 1969; (2) Monuments of Music and Music Literature in Facsimile, second series: Music Literature, number 141, published in New York by Broude Bros. in 1969.