Search winerock.com

Conclusion

In conclusion, it appears that despite universities' attempts to marginalize and restrict dancing, dance remained an important component of official university events and courtly entertainments as well as a favourite recreation for students. Even for religious reformers who did not personally participate, the question of whether dancing should be allowed or not, and under what circumstances, remained a central question. The dancing school at the Boccardo might have been on the edge of town, but who went there, and what they did, and when, was anything but a marginal question.

And so to finish, I will leave you with the epilogue from the 1607/8 St John's College Christmas Prince entertainment at Oxford (REED Oxford, 355):

These daunces were perform'd of yore
By many worthy Elfes
Now if you will haue any more
Pray shake your heeles your selues.