Troubadour

:For the article about the night club in West Hollywood, California, see: Troubadour (nightclub).

Related Topics:
West Hollywood, California - Troubadour (nightclub)

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A troubadour was a composer and performer of songs in particular styles during the Middle Ages in Europe.

Related Topics:
Middle Ages - Europe

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The word troubadour comes from the Occitan verb "troub" which means finder. It is used to designate artists using occitan or langue d'oc whose style spread to the trouvères who used the langues d'oïl of the north of France. The custom began in France during the 9th century; the earliest being William, IX Duke of Aquitaine (1071-1127, also Guillaume d'Aquitaine). The style flourished in the ninth century and was often imitated in the thirteenth (ibid). Many troubadours traveled for great distances, aiding in the transmission of trade from one region to another.

Related Topics:
Occitan - Langue d'oc - Trouvères - Langues d'oïl - France - 9th century - William, IX Duke of Aquitaine

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Troubadors mainly dealt with themes of chivalry and courtly love, although their songs might deal with all sorts of other themes as well. Perhaps most famous were the songs addressed by the singer to a married lover. Perhaps due to the prevalence of arranged marriages at the time, this theme of true love outside the bonds of marriage (usually chaste love, at least in formal works) apparently hit a strong chord with the listeners. The aubade formed one popular genre.

Related Topics:
Chivalry - Courtly love - Aubade - Genre

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Similar roles were filled in different times and regions by persons known as minstrels and jongleurs. The German Minnesingers are closely related to, and inspired by, troubadours, but have distinctive features of their own.

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Troubadours whose works have survived to the present day include Arnaut Daniel and Jaufré Rudel.

Related Topics:
Arnaut Daniel - Jaufré Rudel

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