Editing Medieval dance (section)

===Scandinavia===
[[Image:Ørslev kirke 20090411-22.jpg|thumb|left|Fresco at Ørslev church, Denmark]]

In Denmark, old ballads mention a closed Ring dance which can open into a Chain dance. A [[fresco]] in Ørslev church in [[Zealand]] from about 1400 shows nine people, men and women, dancing in a line. The leader and some others in the chain carry bouquets of flowers.<ref name="lorenzen"/> Dances could be for men and women, or for men alone, or women alone. In the case of women's dances, however, there may have been a man who acted as the leader.<ref>Curt Sachs (1963) ''World History of the Dance'', p.263</ref> Two dances specifically named in the Danish ballads which appear to be line dances of this type are ''The Beggar Dance'', and ''The Lucky Dance'' which may have been a dance for women.<ref name="lorenzen"/> A modern version of these medieval chains is seen in the [[Faroese dance|Faroese chain dance]], the earliest account of which goes back only to the 17th century.<ref>Lorenzen & Jeppesen, p.10</ref>

In Sweden too, medieval songs often mentioned dancing. A long chain was formed, with the leader singing the verses and setting the time while the other dancers joined in the chorus. These "Long Dances" have lasted into modern times in Sweden.<ref>{{cite book|title=Dances of Sweden|last=Salvén|first=Erik|location=London|publisher=Max Parrish|year=1949|page=8}}</ref> A similar type of song dance may have existed in Norway in the Middle Ages as well, but no historical accounts have been found.<ref>{{cite book|title=Dances from Norway|last=Beal|first=Daniel|location=Minneapolis|publisher=Sons of Norway|year=1988|page=45|isbn=0-9620940-0-5}}</ref>