Pronunciation: [tɹˈuːvəz] (IPA) 
The word "trouveres" is a French term used to describe medieval poets who wrote and performed lyric poetry. The correct spelling of this word is "trouvères" and it is pronounced as "troo-vehr". The "ou" sound in the first syllable is pronounced like the "oo" sound in "too", while the "è" at the end of the word is pronounced like the "eh" in "men". The accent on the final "e" indicates that this syllable should be stressed.
Trouvères were medieval French poet-musicians who flourished in the regions of northern France and the Low Countries between the 11th and 14th centuries. The term "trouvère" derived from the Old French verb "trouver," meaning "to find" or "to invent," directly alluding to their skill in creating and finding poetic and musical compositions. They were an integral part of the medieval tradition of courtly love songs and played a significant role in the development of secular music and poetry.
The troubadour tradition, which originated in southern France, heavily influenced the trouvères. However, while troubadours were restricted to the aristocratic courts of the south, trouvères were more varied in social status, often including commoners and lower-ranking nobles among their ranks. They performed in the courts and noble households of the northern regions, creating songs in the langue d'oïl, a precursor to Middle French.
The themes of trouvère lyrics were centered around courtly love, chivalry, and the ideals of the noble class. Their compositions incorporated elements of poetry, music, and performance, making them versatile entertainers who were highly sought after by the nobility. Trouvères often wrote in the form of chansons, which were lyric poems with musical accompaniment.
While troubadours and trouvères share many characteristics, the latter developed their distinct musical style. Trouvères were particularly skilled in polyphony, which involved composing music with multiple independent melodic lines. These complex arrangements gave their compositions a rich and intricate texture. The tradition of trouvères gradually declined in the 14th century, but their works left an indelible mark on medieval music and poetry, influencing subsequent generations of composers and poets.
The word "trouveres" comes from Old French and derives from the verb "trouver", meaning "to find" or "to discover". The term was first used in the 12th and 13th centuries to refer to a group of medieval French poets and musicians who composed and performed lyric poetry and songs. These troubadours were known for finding and composing their own material, hence the name "trouveres" which translates to "finders" or "discoverers" in English.
