rondels

Rondels is the plural form used to refer to two related medieval European practices that share a common origin in the concept of circular form and repetition: a fixed lyric verse form and a circular dance. The word derives from Old French rondel, meaning “little circle,” reflecting both the structure of the verse and the social, circular nature of the dance.

In poetry, a rondel is a fixed form used in medieval French lyric poetry and later adopted in English. It is a relatively short lyric characterized by a refrain: a line or phrase that repeats throughout the poem. A rondel is typically composed in two or three stanzas and ends with the refrain, which ties the work together. The form emphasizes concision and the effect of repetition, often focusing on a single emotional or contemplative theme.

In dance, a rondel refers to a simple circular dance performed by couples or groups, common in late medieval Europe. Dancers join hands or link arms and move in a ring to coordinated steps and music. The rondel in this context is related to other circle dances of the period and was commonly situated in social or ceremonial settings at courts and villages.

Modern discussions of rondels treat the term as part of medieval literary and dance history. In scholarly sources, rondels are distinguished from related forms such as the rondeau and ballade, though the terms have appeared with overlapping usage in older texts. Contemporary poets and choreographers occasionally revisit the form for innovative uses.