BACKGROUND INFORMATION The Cornish Knight is included in Volume III of Rutherfords 'Complete collection of 200 of the most celebrated country dances both old and new which are now to be found in vogue and performed at court, all public assemblies'. As with the Cornish Squire there is no indication as to where Rutherford came by the tune and dance. The figures from this dance were originally used to preserve Cornish tunes. DANCE NOTATIONS Formation
Three couple longways sets Step
Skip step throughout Hold
Hands held according to dance Bars A
1 - 4
Couples 1 and 2 take hands along sides, ie man with man, lady with lady.
Slide right, slide left and cross over with partner 5 - 8
repeat bars 1 4 9 - 12
Head couples lead down set for 8 steps followed by second couple (on bars 11 12) 13 - 16
Dancing couples turn and return to top of set second couple leading. B
17 - 24
Second couple cast to bottom of set followed by head couple third couple move to top of set. N.B. Second couple are now in bottom place, head couple in centre and third couple at head of set. 25 - 28
Original head and second couple form circle and dance once around to left. 29 - 32
Original head and third couple dance rights and lefts, i.e. all four dancers each give right hand to partner, left along side of the dance, right to partner left along side of dance, thus dancing a complete square. TUNE/SONG The original tunes used for this dance were An Marrak, Bishops Jig and Hernen Wyn, although any 32 bar jig would be appropriate.
