Linked-Arm Allemande
Also known as: Turn in Tullock Hold, Turn in Hullachan Hold.
Bars: 4.
In this style of Allemande, partners stand right shoulder to right, facing in opposite directions, they interlace their right arms, and put their left hands behind their backs, taking their partner's right hand in their left, and so linked turn around in a small circle.
History
The Regency Dance Site has a nice paper giving the history of the allemande in English dancing.
Nicholas Dukes does not define allemande in his book of Country Dance figures, published 1752.
The earliest use of "Allemande" (in English) which I have found is in Marli Water Works by Matthew Welch in perhaps ~1767 (though this date is debatable), and Pat Shaw interpreted it as a linked arm allemande.
In the US, Saltator, 1802 gives a clear description:
ALLEMANDE, is to put one hand behind and reach the other out side-ways, turning both plams backwars matching another person's presented in like manor, and the arms interweaving with them.
According to the Fletts' Traditional Dancing in Scotland (page 148) The Reel of Tulloch (and hence Tullock Hold) was current subsequent to about 1880. Given the lack of an Allemande tradition in Scotland, it seems more likely that this way of turning evolved independantly rather than being a copy of the linked arm allemande from a hundred years before.
Some dances which (probably) use this figure
- Dances for which I have animations
Note: This list may be incorrect or incomplete.
See Also
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