Final answer:
Couple dances spread across Europe and the British Isles mainly in the 19th century, popularized by the working class through venues such as dance halls and music halls. They were also evident in earlier centuries, as depicted by paintings like 'The Wedding Dance' which showed dance as an important part of social life.
Step-by-step explanation:
Couple dances began to spread throughout Europe and the British Isles at different times, with many becoming widely popular during the 19th century. For example, dance halls in Victorian Britain became central to social life with the rise of music halls. At this time, dances like the tango, which originated in the 1880s, became popularized by the working class frequenting these venues. Moreover, illustrations from the 16th century, as seen in The Wedding Dance, suggest that forms of couple dances were present and embedded in social customs of the time, although sometimes at odds with religious and social norms. The energetic depiction of guests suggests that dancing was a significant social activity, despite any religious or social prohibitions against it.