The minstrels are wandering poets-singers

The word "minstrel" comes from the Latin ministerialis , which translates as "servant". However, we know it under a completely different meaning: a poet-musician, a wandering serenade performer, etc.

The meaning of the word "minstrel"

The general value . This term is called poet-musicians, not only male, but also female. In a word, in general terms minstrels are professional singers of medieval Europe since the XII century ( early Renaissance). They earned their living by singing, as well as playing various musical instruments without notes. The closest in meaning to this word is the French term jongleur (juggler). Unlike our usual understanding, it is interpreted as "inventor", "event organizer". That is, it is not only a musician, but also an acrobat, jester, narrator, magician, etc. Creativity of such artists was oral, that is why the music manuscripts of minstrels were practically not preserved. Modern followers are trying in some way to recreate their works, relying on literary and iconographic evidence.

Medieval treatment . According to this interpretation, minstrels are poets-singers, which were written in romantic literature of the XIX century.

Modern understanding (since the XX century). So they call poets-musicians, who perform author's songs. They can be both professionals and amateurs.

History

There were minstrels in the 12th century in Provence (France). On the streets of cities and villages one could see wandering singers and poets who sang songs of their own composition and themselves accompanied themselves on an instrument. These stray artists were called troubadours. This name was translated from the Provencal dialect as "the art of compose."

According to sources, these singers-pilgrims made good money. They were popular both among ordinary people and among masters-feudal lords. If the song was to the liking of a nobleman, then, as a rule, he generously endowed the musician. Townspeople also did not skimp on rewarding the singers for their pleasure.

In 100 years the troubadours were renamed minstrels. However, they were called not only poets-singers, but also the whole fraternity of stray artists: dancers, musicians, jugglers, etc. That is, in the medieval sense, minstrels are all strolling artists, regardless of what kind of creativity they were engaged in.

As already mentioned, the primary meaning of this word is a servant who is in the service. Nevertheless in the XIII century this term was called free artists who were not on the service of anyone. They traveled all over Europe, performed on holidays in this or that place, and their appearance was always met by the locals with a cheer.

In Germany there were also stray musicians, but they were called minnesingers, singers of love. As you can see, there is a difference from the Latin interpretation, according to which minstrels are servants.

What did the minstrels sing about?

They performed songs about everything: about knightly campaigns, about love, betrayal, brave warriors, and wise kings. The genres, performed by minstrels, also included pastors. These works were romantic musical sketches about the life of villagers, in particular shepherds and shepherds. However, the main theme of the songs was the noble and sincere feelings of the knight to his beautiful lady.

Modernity

Nowadays, some musicians are also called "minstrel". "Who is this?" - Certainly uninitiated will ask. Modern minstrels also create songs and perform them themselves. These performers belong to a special subculture. After a long break (in the 3-4 century), some bard singers began to be called minstrels in the 1960s. And from 1979 until the collapse of the USSR this word was called the Moscow newspaper about amateur performance. Later, a role movement was created, and all the participants who were related to him began to be called minstrels.