The Troubadours

Poetry and music define a world at war in this meticulous study of the troubadours, the poet-musicians active in the Occitan region (now southern France) from the 11th through the 13th centuries . . . The poetry alone is worth the price of admission . . . It’s a lively and rewarding account. * Publishers Weekly *
Built on a selection of pivotal authors encompassing the “golden” twelfth century, this up-to-date synthesis by one of the most distinguished scholars of troubadour poetry skilfully combines social and historical, literary and musical aspects of a lyric production that shaped the notion of courtliness and the idea of love embedded in Western culture for many centuries to come. * Francesco Carapezza, Professor of Romance Philology and Linguistics, University of Palermo *
Linda M. Paterson’s fascinating, erudite book is an ideal guide to the troubadours, whose poetry is as influential as it is inventive. Setting the troubadours in their historical, linguistic and literary context, Paterson gives deft, vivid introductions to these extraordinarily talented men and women, and offers her reader a captivating view of their work – by turns enigmatic, lyrical and obscene. * Miranda Griffin, Associate Professor of Medieval French, University of Cambridge, and Fellow and Director of Studies, Murray Edwards College *
Not only is this the best general introduction to the work of the troubadours in English, it also takes into account information sometimes neglected: where these poets were from, how they related to current issues, their music, their travels, their influence and their idea of what they thought they were doing. Add to that a judicious selection of texts, an up-to-date review of recent scholarship by one of the primary specialists of Occitan poetry, and you have nothing less than a tour de force. A unique historical, philological and literary survey, Paterson's book is a marvel and a gift for the ages. * Bill Burgwinkle, Emeritus Professor of Medieval French and Occitan Literature, University of Cambridge, and Emeritus Fellow, King's College, Cambridge *