Millisons Jegge

(Millisons Jegg, Millisons Jigge,
Millisons Jigg, Millison's Jig)

{1651}

Introduction

Millisons Jegge is a dance from the first edition of Playford's English Dancing Master (1651).

It's one of the easiest and most satisfying early Playford dances.


The Formation

Longways for six, proper (with the three Follows to the right of the three Leads facing up the hall).


The Dance

There are six different parts to the dance:


Part 1 (16 counts)

Up and Back (8 counts): Taking hands with partner, walk four steps up the hall, and fall back four steps down the hall.

Repeat Up and Back (8 counts)


Part 2 (32 counts)

Slip Up by Couples (12 counts): The first couple takes two hands and slips up the hall with four quick side-close steps, then the second couple chases them, then the third couple chases them.

Turn Single (4 counts): All turn solo in place by walking around a small clockwise circle with four steps. (Some communities turn counterclockwise instead.)

Slip Down by Couples (12 counts): The third couple takes two hands and slips down the hall with four quick side-close steps, then the second couple chases them, then the first couple chases them.

Turn Single (4 counts)


Part 3 (16 counts)

Side Right (8 counts): Approach partner with four steps, ending right shoulder to right shoulder, then back away four steps. (This is the historical style for siding, although you may also see some people do it with the more dynamic "Cecil Sharp" style of siding, in which you trade places and then trade places back home. In a modern context, either is fine, as long as you and your partner/community agree.)

Side Left (8 counts): Approach partner with four steps, ending left shoulder to left shoulder, then back away four steps. (Or do the Cecil Sharp styling, if that's your community's preference.)


Part 4 (32 counts)

Trade Places by Couples (12 counts): The first couple trades places, passing by the right shoulders and falling back into each others place over the course of four walking steps, then the second couple trades places, then the third couple trades place.

Turn Single (4 counts)

Trade Places by Couples (12 counts): The third couple trades place back home, then the second couple trades places, then the third couple.

Turn Single (4 counts)


Part 5 (16 counts)

Arm Right (8 counts): Taking right arm with partner, walk eight steps clockwise around each other to place. (Many different styles are seen for arming including: touching forearms, linking elbows, holding forearms, or holding hands, low or high. The only real requirement is that you and your partner/community agree on how you're going to do it.)

Arm Left (8 counts): Taking left arm with partner, walk eight steps counterclockwise around each other to place.


Part 6 (32 counts)

Trade Places by Opposites (12 counts): The first Lead and the second Follow trades places diagonally, passing by the right shoulders and falling back into each others place over the course of four walking steps, then the second Lead and the first Follow trade places, then the third couple trades places with each other.

Turn Single (4 counts)

Trade Places by Opposites (12 counts): The first Lead and the third Follow trades places diagonally, then the third Lead and the first Follow trade places, then the second couple (now at the top of the hall), trades places with each other. At the end, you'll end up with the twos at the top, the threes in the middle, and the ones at the bottom.

Turn Single (4 counts)


If you dance it multiple times through, dancing the parts as defined by your place rather than your initial couple number, the first time, you'll start 123 and end 231. The second time, you'll end 312. And the third time, you'll end as you started, 123.


The Music

Here is a nice tune for dancing Millisons Jegge:


Sources


© 2020 Nick Enge

For more dance descriptions, see our three books on dancing:
The Book of Mixers: 100 Easy-Teach Dances for Getting Acquainted (2022) by Richard Powers and Nick & Melissa Enge,
Cross-Step Waltz: A Dancer's Guide (2019) by Richard Powers and Nick & Melissa Enge, and
Waltzing: A Manual for Dancing and Living (2013) by Richard Powers and Nick Enge.

For full-length teaching videos, visit: University of Dance.

For help crafting a life you love, visit: Project Quartz.

Home     About     Dances     Manuals     Search