An understanding of dance in Europe in the Middle Ages that are limited and fragmentary, being composed of some depictions in paintings and illuminations, a few musical examples of what may be dances, and scattered allusions in literary texts. The first detailed descriptions of dancing only date from 1450 in Italy, which is after the start of the Renaissance.

Here are some names of the dances which we know existed during the Middle Ages.

Dance types:

• Carole

• Ductia

• Estampie (Istampitta)

• Saltarello

• Trotto

The (farandole) is also frequently presented as a mediaeval dance, based on surviving iconography.