text: what type of dances were around in england during the renaissance?   in england and france, the early 1500's brought the rise of the pavane. in the 1580's, arbeau's orchesographie cites the decline of the basse dance and pavane and describes those dances as well as the alman (almain, allemande), the branle (in many variations), the galliard and tordion, the canarie (the spanish canario), and the lavolta. a number of arbeau's branles are dances from masques which evolved into social dances; others which remain more performance than social include the morisque (morris) and bouffons.   also beginning in the late 16th century and continuing into the late 17th century, several english manuscripts often associated with the inns of court describe a number of pavanes and almans as part of the sequence of eight dances collectively known as the "old measures", as well as galliards and a number of other dances.