The Medieval Code of Courtly Love and Troubadour Lyric

Troubadour Poetry: Origins and Influence

Troubadour poetry refers to the lyric works composed primarily in Occitan (Provençal Romance) during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. These works represent the first major literary output by authors utilizing a Romance language in the region.

This phenomenon is explained by the immense prestige achieved by the troubadour lyric in Occitan, which was the first Romance language to develop a literary standard suitable for sophisticated poetic expression. This development was also influenced by the linguistic and geographic proximity between Southern France and Catalonia, coupled with the political and cultural relations fostered in feudal courts.

Within Occitan literature, a specific concept of love developed that had enormous influence across Europe. Occitan was considered the language of poetry *par excellence*. Galician poetry held a similar consideration, evidenced by the fact that King Alfonso X the Wise composed his famousCantigas in Galician, believing it superior for musical poetry.

Troubadour poetry was born in Southern France in the twelfth century and spread throughout Europe beyond the thirteenth century, deeply rooted in the feudal social worldview. The poetic voice belonged to the **troubadour**, a composer of both words and music for songs that expressed his love and offered vassalage to the feudal lady. The specific code of love developed by the troubadours was known as **courtly love**.

Defining Courtly Love (Fin'amor)

The protagonists of troubadour poetry belonged exclusively to the nobility, and the relationships established between them mirrored the values and demonstrations of the feudal system. This system was based on vassalage:

• The troubadour declared himself a **servant**, faithful and loyal to the lady.
• This mirrored the relationship between a vassal and his feudal lord.

The lady (*domna*) was often perceived as a superior being, reflecting the high status of the nobility at the apex of the medieval social pyramid. The object of affection had to be a married noblewoman; unmarried maidens lacked the necessary social standing.

The Forbidden Nature of Courtly Love

Courtly love was inherently forbidden, requiring absolute secrecy to avoid the jealousy and retaliation of the husband. The classic love triangle (troubadour, lady, husband) often included other figures:

• The **Envious** (*lauzengiers*): Those who revealed the love affair between the troubadour and the lady.
• The **Jealous Husband** (*gilós*): The figure suffering from jealousy.

To protect the lady's identity, the troubadour concealed her name using a *senhal* (a poetic pseudonym).

Courtly Love vs. Marriage

Courtly love (*fin'amor*) was a poetic elaboration of affection experienced outside of marriage. This contrasts sharply with actual noble marriages, which occurred in a social context where unions were typically arranged by families to consolidate economic and territorial interests. Marriage was a contractual obligation assumed by the parties, whereas courtly love was freely chosen and idealized.