15th century Burgundy under Dukes Philip the Good and Charles the Bold was intent on re-creating a mythical past that combined the ideals of knighthood and chivalry from the Europe of the Early Middle Ages with a rediscovered classical Greek and Roman mythology based around heroes such as Jason and the Argonauts, or Hercules. These are evoked in great state events such as the Feast of the Pheasant, or in chivalric societies such as the Order of the Golden Fleece. Previous authors have coined the term ‘chivalric humanism’ for this phenomenon. Our paper will explore the role of the basse danse — both as re-creation and recreation – in this context, as an elaborate ritual display of medieval courtoisie. It will also contrast this dance form with those of the Italian courts and, in particular, their differing approaches to the emerging culture of secular ‘humanism’.
Bill Tuck