Trovatores is a term used to refer to the troubadours, a group of medieval lyric poets who emerged in the 11th century in the region of Occitania, located in what is now southern France. The term "trovatores" is derived from the Old Provençal word "trobar," which means "to find" or "to invent." It reflects the troubadours' role as inventors of songs, as they created new lyrics and melodies to be performed in courts and noble circles.
These trovatores or troubadours were an integral part of the courtly culture of the Middle Ages, where they entertained and were patronized by nobility. They composed and sang chivalric love poetry known as "cansos" in the Occitan language, celebrating themes of courtly love, romance, and chivalry. The troubadours were highly skilled in both music and verse, often accompanying their songs with musical instruments such as the lute or vielle.
Their compositions, characterized by refined language and complex poetic structures, set the foundation for the development of courtly literature and music throughout Europe. Troubadour poetry was renowned for its emotional depth, expressing the ideals of courtly love and emphasizing the pursuit of unattainable beloveds.
Despite their important cultural influence, the trovatores' prominence began to decline by the end of the 13th century as societal changes and the rise of vernacular languages shifted the artistic landscape. However, their legacy lived on, influencing subsequent poetic and musical traditions in various regions of Europe, including the troubadours' counterpart in northern France, known as the trouvères.
