topic three

Social Life of Troubadours

The social life of troubadours entailed the joy of entertaining for fellow noblemen and noblewomen. Aside from entertaining at home or near their residences, troubadours firmly believed that they should go into the world and share their messages laden with ideas of love and joy with the aristocratic public among their neighboring regions. The troubadours traveled from court to court with jovial satisfaction. Robotham (1969) cites the ritual of the troubadours as it played out every year. At the first sign of spring, troubadours would mount their steed and caravan their company of jongleurs in almost a knightly fashion to a castle that would have been expecting them. Once there, the troubadour and his performers would dismount at the gate and perform in the courtyard as their opening act. A sample of the poems recited is noted by Fauriel (1846) as follows:

We come bringing a precious balsam which cures all sorts of ills, and heals the troubles both of body and mind. It is contained in a vase of gold, adorned with jewels the most rare. Even to see it is wonderful pleasures, as you will find if you care to try. The balsam is the music of our master, the vase of gold is our courtly company. Would you have the vase open and disclose its ineffable treasure? (p. 234)

Later, at nightfall, they would perform at the banquet with the jongleurs positioned near the table or in a specially constructed ‘jongleur hall’, with the jongleurs readily awaiting their master’s signal to commence playing. During the days of summer, the performances would be held on a rampart overlooking the moat where ladies and the knights and squires leisurely conversed. At times, the concert would be held in the meadows on a lavishly carpeted area where knights and ladies gathered and mingled. On rare occasions, the troubadours would unexpectedly prompt a jongleur to relinquish a guitar he/she was using to perform themselves. This was considered a special treat for the audience, as it was not commonly a privilege given to them. During the winter, the troubadour would retreat to the comforts of home and compose new poems and songs. Rehearsals with the jongleurs would take place in order to prepare for the following spring, when the gregarious rounds of performances would start again.

Troubadour performing at a banquet.

Eating nude in baths, indoor or outdoor, was a popular medieval erotic sport. This event was often regaled by music.