Kemp's Jig
Notes
by Mistress Fabienne l'Accusee:
The well
known Shakespearean actor, Will Kemp was remembered for one of the most
notorious stunts of Elizabethan times: he danced from London to Norwich (100
miles) in nine days! His account of this feat was printed a year later , in
1600. The tune is from a lute book of the same era and may be one of the tunes
he danced to Norwich to. There is a tune and dance in Playford's dance book of
1651 by the same name, but is very different. This is taken from the cover of
the pamphlet:
Kemps Nine Daies Wonder /
Performed in a daunce from London to Norwich
Containing the pleasure, paines and kinde entertainment
of William Kemp between London and that City in his late Morrice.
Wherein is somewhat set downe worth
note; to reproove
the slaunders spred of him: many things merry, nothing
hurtfull.
Written by himselfe to satisfie his friends.