Then there were the Dancing Masters who made a living by touring the villages teaching dances and steps.(Sounds a bit like ballet classes today) They played fiddle for dancing (and used the bow to keep order).

Efdss published a book in 1979 by JF & TM Flett "Traditional Step Dancing in Lakeland"
It doesn't seem to be in print now. (I'll bring it to Have-a-Go on the 19th to tantalise you with Les, but I've just read the thread about lending CDs, so no-one can borrow it!)

It says that after a session of lessons where children were taught step dances, country dances and ballroom dances they held a ball. The first part for the children to display what they had learnt and then (from 12.30 - 4am) general dancing for the older children and the adults.

I get the impression that a solo fiddle was often used for dance.