A royal medieval couple dance joyfully

**The Estampie, Late Medieval Era (1390s)** --- Popular across the royal courts of France and Italy during the 13th and 14th centuries, the Estampie is one of the earliest named European partner dances with surviving musical notation. Derived from the Old French word estampir, meaning "to stamp" or "to resound," the dance was characterized by lively, rhythmic footwork, proud upright posture, and a series of repeated musical sections known as puncta. Performed by noble couples holding hands in a stately yet energetic promenade, the Estampie bridged the gap between medieval folk circle dances and the formal, structured courtly dances of the Renaissance.

Entry in the Dance theme.