Who Were The Troubadours?
The earliest surviving work by a troubadour was written by William IX 1071-1127, Duke of Aquitaine. However it is probable that the tradition had earlier origins in the culture of Spain and Moorish influences there. Troubadours were from the upper, educated classes and their lives were documented in the Vidas(lives), during the C13/14. They performed at courts throughout Europe in present day England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain. There main theme was love/courtly love. For these ideals they were condemned by the church. In the early part of the C13 Courtly Love was condemned as heretical. Along with the main theme of love, troubadours sang laments, albas (morning songs), ballads,dances. The songs were accompanied by a variety of musical instruments. Women played an important role in the development of troubadour traditions.
