In earlier times it was, we're told, Charles dancing provocatively (8)

'dancing provocatively' is the definition.
The definition suggests a present participle verb which matches the answer.

'in earlier times it was we're told charles' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'in' is found in the answer.
'it' could be 't' (abbreviation. e.g. in 'tis) and 't' is found within the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?