The Galliard

The Galliard was a lively dance popular in 16th and 17th century Europe which originated in Italy and then spread, like all good things were wont to do, to the courts of France, Spain and finally England. This little sampler is certainly full of swirling movement with a few pirouette a la seconde thrown in to keep you on your cross stitch toes.

Although usually described as “lively” the Galliard was, in fact, positively vigorous and allowed many a fine gentleman to let their hair down and channel their inner frog as it consisted of four hopping steps and then one almighty, doublet splitting high leap that only the most athletic of partners could perform without popping out of their hose or otherwise embarrassing themselves. Queen Elizabeth I was said to have danced the Galliard as part of her morning exercises, probably because Pilates and Hot Yoga hadn’t yet been invented.

Now those of you who have already stitched Pavane For These Times please take note that musicians usually wrote Pavans and Galliards in pairs, the latter being a rhythmic “after dance” of the former. And everyone else please take heed that the Galliard was a spirited dance for two persons so could this be the first Long Dog sampler that can be stitched as a duet for two needles? Gadzooks, think about that!

Comes to you in portable document format (pdf) dressed in full Tudor raiment with a discrete codpiece to fasten the front of your hose, if it’s hot and no breeches are worn, and a voluminous farthingale skirt to cover a multitude of sins.

• Area in stitches: 179 x 179