Tythe Pig: A Historical English Country Dance

Tythe Pig – Playford’s Dancing Master: The Compleat Dance Guide

Audio w/ Adjustable Tempo & Repeat Option: The Tythe Pig (jig) on The Session

Song: Marianelli: Meryton Townhall (From "Pride & Prejudice" Soundtrack)

Sheet Music: Play Official version of Meryton Townhall Sheet Music by Dario Marianelli | MuseScore.com

Tythe Pig was part of my dance list for my event Jane Austen's 250th Birthday Ball, which I held on December 16, 2025. I used the Playford version, because I hadn't yet thought to update it for Regency style.

If you want to use my introduction and/or my Regency version found below, contact me beforehand to tell me about it and then give me credit. :) 

Introduction I used at my ball

Tonight we have a dance for each of Jane Austen’s six major works, plus Lady Susan, because it’s also a completed work. Although Tythe Pig was over a hundred years old by Jane’s time [not quite], this is our dance for Pride and Prejudice, because in the 2005 film adaption, this is the dance that's interrupted at the Meryton assembly when Mr. Darcy and the Bingleys walk in. Our string quartet is going to play the arrangement from the film. This movie returned to theaters this spring for its 20th anniversary. I went and saw it. Who else did?

Introduction if you use my Jane Austen dance list

Tonight we have a dance for each of Jane Austen’s six major works, plus Lady Susan. Although Tythe Pig's first publication was eighty years old by Jane’s birth, this is our dance for Pride and Prejudice, because in the 2005 film adaption, this is the dance that's interrupted at the Meryton assembly when Mr. Darcy and the Bingleys walk in.

Tythe Pig

Longways proper
Duple minor
Chassé step

Introduction

• 20 beats: Honor your partner.
• Gentlemen bow and Ladies curtsy.

Dance

• 8 beats: First corners allemande.
• The first Gentleman and second Lady go round each other back-to-back to places, moving clockwise.
• 8 beats: Second corners allemande.
• The first Lady and second Gentleman go round each other back-to-back to places, moving clockwise.
• 8 beats: The first and second Ladies, and first and second Gentlemen, turn.
• Sides join both hands and turn completely round to places, moving clockwise. The first Gentleman and first Lady's hands should be uppermost.
• 8 beats: First couple cast off and lead up.
• 4 beats: First couple cast off again (second couple move up).

Repeat whole dance from progressed position.

Notes: I substituted the Playford figures of clap and turn single with a Thomas Wilson figure to update the dance for Jane Austen's time. If you use "Meryton Townhall" for this dance, you will need an ASCAP license if it qualifies as a public performance (check with ASCAP) and your venue doesn't have a blanket license (check with your venue).