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Earl of Essex Measure

Also known as: 

my lord off Essex measures, The Earle of Essex, The Earle of Essex measures, The Earle of Essix, The Earle of Essexs Measure, Earle of Essex Measure, Essex Measure

Source: 
English sources, c.1550-1700
Dance Type: 
measure
Number of dancers: 
couples, as many as will
Choreography: 

A. Do this four times

  • double forward (left foot), then
  • single backwards (right foot)

B. Then do this, once or twice, as the music allows

  • single sideways to the left (slow: three beats instead of the usual two)
  • single sideways to the right (slow)
  • double forwards (left)
  • single backwards (right)

Repeat the whole dance, one or more times, as the music requires (usually 2-4 times).

Discussion: 

A common variation is to have the singles in the second section done at the normal speed, instead of slowly, and followed by a double instead of a single back: 

  • single sideways to the left
  • single sideways to the right
  • double forwards
  • double backwards

Both versions are represented in the MS sources. I typically do that with the slow singles, as it fits the phrasing of the music better. 

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