Dance of the Northern Renaissance: Editorial

[opening paragraph] Dance was a key cultural practice of the early modern period: it was integral to theatrical representation; it was a significant element of court ritual; and it fulfilled an important social function. But how might we characterise the particular dance practices of Northern Europe? French, Spanish and Italian traditions have dominated histories of Renaissance dance and have come to represent all European dance in the period. However, as Nona Monahin in her contribution to this issue shows us, while dancing masters were active teachers and choreographers across France, Spain and Italy, dance was also integral to Northern European culture and society.