GALLIARD, or GAGLIARDA, a sort of dance anciently in great request; consisting of very different motions and actions, sometimes proceeding terra a terra or smoothly along; sometimes capering; sometimes along the room, and sometimes across. The word is French, galliarde, or rather Italian; and literally signifies "gay, merry, sprightly." This dance was also called Romanesque, because brought from Rome.
Thoinot Arbeau, in his Orchography, describes it as consisting of five steps, and five positions of the feet, which the dancers performed before each other, and
whereof he gives us the score or tablature, which is of Galliarde six minims, and two triple times.