Troubadours and trouveres traveled around Europe singing their songs mostly during the 12th and 13th centuries. Many of our romantic ideas about the middle ages were formed in part by their songs, and people today are still fascinated by their stories and songs.
The troubadours and trouveres wrote their songs in their local language. Troubadours, who were from southern France, wrote in Occitan while the trouveres, who were from northern France, would write mostly in French.
Spreading "Damsel in Distress" Stories Before Disney
By its high point, troubadours also spread across parts of Europe and into Italy, Spain, Germany and Greece. By this point, troubadours had various names and spellings in different languages. They almost always wrote about forbidden love between nobles or gallant heroes like Charlemagne’s knights or King Arthur. Occasionally, troubadours like Bertran de Born would write politically charged songs as well.
Although the songs sound like genuine love, the words are based off of a highly formulaic etiquette that valued praising women from afar and chivalrous gentleman. Many argue that some of our ideas of ladies in distress and gallant knights come from the songs written by the troubadours and trouveres.
Writing From Experience
Even though the troubadours and trouveres wrote highly formulaic love songs, many of their songs do seem to be based at least somewhat in reality. One famous troubadour, Bernart de Ventadorn (1140-1190), was banned from two different courts because he became too romantically involved with the ladies. Another famous troubadoura, Beatrice de Dia, was of noble birth and married to the Count of Poiniers. While she was married, she wrote songs about her love for another man, Raimbaut d’Orange.
Troubadours and trouveres would travel from area to area and entertain mostly at court, fairs, weddings, and other large events. Troubadours and trouveres who were not of noble birth tended to travel more than those of noble birth.
Performers and Song Composition
Minstrels and jesters, who were of a lower class than the troubadours and trouveres, would often perform the songs in court for entertainment during events. The songs themselves were only loosely written and usually the minstrel figured out the rhythms simply by figuring out what worked most naturally while singing the words. Unlike plainchant, these songs were not considered gifts of the Holy Spirit so they did not have to be precise.
The songs are in verse form and in many ways reflect the forms and themes of our current pop songs. Many of the stories that were spread by these traveling singers have become an important part of our history and bring back romantic ideas of years past.
Sources:
- Medieval Life: Troubadours
- Musical Forms of the Troubadours and Trouveres
Amy Schumaker - Amy is a young musician based out of Philadelphia. A native of northeast Ohio, she went to Capital University Conservatory of Music, where ...
