Trobairitzes – Working for a Song
Expanding more on the theme of women’s work, and lesser known roles in medieval times,
brings to mind the Troubairitzes, the female version of the male medieval Troubadours.
Often, the work of these women was secondary
only in fame to their male counterparts, and not in quality. The women’s works
had a lightness and intelligence of emotion which men might not
convey through their sung tales. These songs often contained wise instruction
on courtly love, or served as laments, or tales of woe in song. The style
came from the south of France, at a time when much was changing in women’s
lives, and more freedoms were gained,
as discussed in the article on women and the Crusades below.
Here is some interesting material in lyric form, on these works,
which have been reproduced for modern CD listening,
The lyrics are quite fascinating, even by today’s standards,
showing how little has changed with the passage of time.
(copyright Imogen Crest 2008.)
(Linked material is copyright to their respective authors.)
These vinaigrettes are most tantalizing Monika.
Heather Blakey
May 18, 2008 at 11:25 am
This is such an interesting subject. Female troupadours…troupairitzes. I’d like to learn more.
Vi
woodnymph
May 18, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Oh I agree with Heather…such tasty morsels…more please
Jill
May 18, 2008 at 3:24 pm
LOL, thanks everyone. Will do my best to find more, I found them intriguing too!
imogen88
May 19, 2008 at 2:00 pm
This is really interesting, and I too would love to learn more!
shewolfy728
May 19, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Hi Monika, you always find the most interesting subjects to write and entertain us with…can’t wait to come back…exams in just 3 weeks and then the fun shall start again!!!
Edith
May 19, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Edith, wishing you well with the exam, great to hear you around the place. I will find some more on this subject, ladies, so we shall see what emerges.
imogen88
May 20, 2008 at 9:31 am
In the Suite 101 link, I read: “Other trobairitzes are remembered for their tensos. These were constructed debates about the travails of desire. ”
wouldn’t it be something to hear one of those debates? And what an appropriate name: “tensos”!
kvwordsmith
May 21, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Good find, Kerry! Sorry it took so long to respond. Yes, I can imagine how fascinating those debates would be, to have been a fly on the wall at one of them!!
imogen88
June 1, 2008 at 4:44 pm