Languedoc Topics
Mysteries of the Languedoc
Troubadours

     
 

Their concept of courtly Love, its origins in the Midi, supported by the Counts of Toulouse

Modern European literature originated in Occitania in the early 12th century.  It was started by hundreds of Troubadours (poet-musicians), who sang the praises of new values and in a new way.   Their themes were courtly love, and concepts such as "convivencia" and "paratge" for which there is no modern counterpart in modern English or French.   "convivencia" meant something more than conviviality and "paratge" meant something more than honour, courtesy, chivalry or gentility (though our concepts of honour, courtesy, chivalry and gentility all owe something to the concept of "paratge".

They praised high ideals, promoting a spirit of equality based on common virtue and deprecating discrimination based on blood or wealth.  They were responsible for a great flowering of creativity.  The lyrics could be racy, even by modern standards.  Woman troubadours as well as men were welcomed in Châteaux throughout the Midi.  They were loathed and resented by the Roman Church, though a number of priests and bishops had themselves been well known troubadours - including the infamous Fouquet de Marseille, Bishop of Toulouse.  The contempt for class distinction is well illustrated by the social standing of troubadours.  As well as commoners and minor nobles, known troubadours include an emperor, five kings, five marquises, ten counts, a countess and five viscounts. 

"Trobadors" were welcomed by noble courts throughout Occitania, including areas that are now regarded as Spanish, Italian or French.   They were also welcomed in the courts of England, France and even Germany (as minnesänger).   They made great contributions to intellectual life with their new art, blending courtly love, eroticism, political satire and philosophy - all of which excited the ire of the Roman Church.

Some 2000 of their works are known, from the short compositions like the "cansos", to the epics.  All are expressed in Occitan, or as it was then called, "plana lenga romana" - the plain Roman tongue.

If you want to learn more about these questions from experts like Henry Lincoln, on location in the Languedoc, you might be interested in Templar Quest Tours.

 

 
 
 

Recommended Books

 

     
     

 

More books here

 
     
 
Mysteries Menu
Mysteries
Rennes-le-Château
Abbé Bérenger Saunière
Priory of Sion
The DA Vinci Code
The Holy Grail
Ark of the Covenant
Troubadours
Courtly Love
Knights Templars
Cathars and Catharism
Dualism & Heresy
Counts of Toulouse
Carcassonne
Montsegur
Gnostic Gospels
Early Christian Church
Roman Catholic Church
Sacred Geometry
Jewish Kabbalah
Shroud of Turin
Voynich Manuscript
The Tarot
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Languedoc Menu
Languedoc - Home Page 
 Introduction to the Languedoc 
To See in the Languedoc 
To Do in the Languedoc 
Holidays in the Languedoc 
Languedoc Wine 
Languedoc Life 
Getting to the Languedoc 
Languedoc Property 
 Languedoc History 
Cathars of the Languedoc 
Cathar Castles in the Languedoc
Languedoc Geography 
Languedoc Weather 
Languedoc Mysteries
 Languedoc Books
DVDs and CDs
 Languedoc Photographs
The Occitan Cross
Articles
Local Maps
More Info
 
About this Site
Site Map
Links
Contact Webmaster
Copyright and Legal  
Advertising
Emergencies
 
 
     
     
  Search the site:
 
     
 
Templar Quest Tours on Facebook Templar Quest Tours on Twitter Templar Quest Tours on Tumblr Templar Quest Tours on Reddit Templar Quest Tours on Google+
 
     
  •  contact@midi-france.com  •   © Midi-France  •