galliard

This galliard by Byrd opens with a melody related to the pavane also shown here.

Spirited 16th-century court dance in triple time, originating from Lombardy, Italy. It was a very athletic dance, full of complicated steps, mainly performed by couples and popular in the court of Elizabeth I of England. It became increasingly lascivious in the 17th century. The music for the galliard consists of compound duple time (6/8) with bars of simple triple time (3/4) intermingled to upset the pulse. The galliard is often coupled to a pavane, of contrasting common time (4/4).