Trobairitz, along with men trobairitz (commonly known as troubadours) composed and sang poetic, lyric songs from the twelfth through fourteenth centuries mainly in Provence (southern France) in the Old Occitan language. Troubadours have been wrongly understood as exclusively proponents of men-abasing courtly love. Trobairitz and troubadour songs were in fact wide-ranging. They include trenchant works of men’s sexed protest, appreciation for men’s sexuality, and frank recognition of lower bodily functions.
The names of about 460 trobairitz and troubadours are known and about 2,500 of their songs (some with melodies) have survived. Scholars common refer to specific songs as PC (trobairitz/troubadour number),(song number of the that singer), according to the work of Alfred Pillet and Henry Carstens (PC), Bibliographie der Troubadours (1933). Trobairitz / troubadour songs are commonly titled by their first line.
The 13th-century Provençal novel Flamenca offers vital insight into Rosalía’s global hit “Di me nombre” (on El mal querer) & failures of literary studies. … Read the post Guillem’s prayers and Rosalía’s “Di mi nombre”: about gyno-idolatry
Bernart de Ventadorn sought to kiss a woman’s feet. A Gaul beheaded his ex-wife for plotting murder of her ex-husand. The barbarian taught male solidarity. … Read the post solidarity among men promotes gender equality & social justice
In jeux-partis, women & men discuss sex. A medieval wife is grateful for her husband frequently having sex with her, even while desiring other women. … Read the post women & men debate sex in Old French jeux-partis
Women trouvères’ Old French jeux-partis evince women’s privilege in not soliciting amorous relationships and having a wide range of love choices among men. … Read the post aspects of women’s privilege in the Old French jeu-parti
Both women & men poetically lamented medieval violence against men. To end finally that violence, women must insist on gender equality in military service. … Read the post medieval poetry on the horror of men absent and dying in war