The names of the basic steps in medieval English country dancing make them sound much more complicated than they are. The basic steps are simply stepping in one direction or another. The name of the step indicates which direction to step, which direction to go, and how many steps to take.
The most basic step is the single. To perform the single, simply step your left foot forward and then meet it with your right. Variations of the single include the bransle-single and the single back. A bransle-single is a single done to the side, while a single back means to step backwards.
A double is also a set of steps. To perform a double, begin with your left foot and take four steps forward. On the last step, bring your feet together. A double back is the same motion stepping backwards.
The last of the basic steps is a slip, which is a sideways skipping step.
Once you are familiar with the basic steps and the terms, you can begin to put them together to form slightly more complex steps.
The set and turn and pavane set are two good examples of these more complex steps. A set and turn right is accomplished by doing a bransle single to the right, then a bransle single to the left, followed by a full turn to the right (clockwise). This step can be reversed for a set and turn left.
A pavane set can be done forward or backward and is done by performing two singles followed by one double.
Another element in many medieval English country dances is partnering. While partnering dances use the steps listed above, they also utilize a small set of partnering steps that are not used in other group dances.
Siding and arming are the two primary partnering steps. In order to do a siding left, begin by facing your partner and then double forward so that your left shoulders meet; then double back. A siding right is the same step, only with right shoulders meeting.
Arming is done by hooking arms with your partner at the elbow and skipping in a full circle. Arming left means that you hook your left arms, and the circle goes counter-clockwise. Arming right is done by hooking right arms and skipping clockwise.