The Rigaudon or Rigadon came from Provence, thru song and the tambourine. It was said to be the creation of the Marseilles dance master Rigaud in 1485. Later disapearing during the French Revolution.
There was a great interchange of dancing and singing in those old days, and the popular dances were adjusted to song tunes. Starting among the peasantry, it began as a very lively measure; but when dancing was considered a fine art, and the great dancing masters of the day threw themselves into the subject with much enthusiasm, they greatly modified it, and it found its way to Court, where it met with favour at the hands of Louis XIII, and in Italy. In time it came over to England, and in good Queen Anne's reign it was danced with much appreciation. Isaac, the fashionable dancing master, arranged a Rigaudon on the occasion of the Queen's birthday.
The step of the Rigaudon is done without either advancing forward or moving backwards or to the side. The best description of it can be thought of as a great non contact traveling dance.