One of a group of poet musicians in Provence
and S France in the 12th-13th centuries,
which included both nobles and wandering
minstrels. The troubadours originated a type
of lyric poetry devoted to themes of courtly
love and the idealization of women and to
glorifying the deeds of their patrons,
reflecting the chivalric ideals of the
period. Little is known of the music, which
was passed down orally. Among the troubadours
were Bertran de Born (1140-c. 1215), who was
mentioned by Dante, Arnaut Daniel, and
Bernard de Ventadour. The troubadour
tradition spread to other parts of Europe,
including northern France (the trouveres) and
Germany (the minnesingers).