ABSTRACT
The New Cecilia Almain is, in fact, closer in form to the New and Black Almains than to the Cecilia Almain. Like the New Almain, it requires alternating four- and six-bar strains of music, and may be danced to any melody which is suited to that dance. With the Black Almain it probably shares the slips, suggested by the motions 'advaunce forwards 3 tymes' and 'advance backe 3 tymes', which apparently refer to three steps made to the side with a close on the fourth. By the 1670s, descriptions of the Black Almain were naming these slips as 'four French slydes'. But during Elizabeth's reign, ordinary Doubles to the side, such as those used in dancing the Branle, may have been adopted, for there are no specific directions to the contrary. No specific music is associated with the dance, which can be performed to any melody suited to the New Almain, with suitable music repeats.
