Meet the Middle Ages

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Sjuspring

In many dances, the men showed off their skill and strength by making high jumps and acrobatics. Some types of dancing were dangerous and spectacular, as for example the dance with a sword and the dance with fire.

Sjuspring ("seven jumps") is originally an acrobatic dance for men. We don’t know how it was performed, but here is a later description of the dance.

Hold hands, form a ring and sing the tune.
Make 16 steps to the left and a jump.
16 steps to the right, 
stamp your right foot and sing "That was one"
16 steps to the left, jump
16 steps to the right
stamp your left foot and sing "That was two"
Go on making the same steps and add 
your right knee, "That was three",
your left knee, "That was four"
your right elbow, "That was five"
your left elbow, "That was six"
your head, "That was seven".