Introduction to Provencal

Introduction to Provencal

ProvenÐ"§al was originally used in all the south of France, as far north as Poitou, Limousin and the DauphinÐ"©. Romance language descended from Latin.

XIth century

Earliest texts (3) survive from XIth century. La Chanson de Sainte Foy (1033) is the only one of real merit.

XIIth Century

Period of the early troubadours. Dominant genre lyric poetry, especially the chanson (love poetry); also important, sirventes (satire); moral and religious poetry and the partimen (debate poetry).

Principal poets: Guillaume IX of Aquitaine, Marcabru, JaufrÐ"© Rudel, Cercamon, Bernart de Ventadour, Bertran de Born, Arnaut Daniel and Raimbaut d'Aurenga. Wrote for a society where patronage was the rule. Poetry governed by strict conventions as regards rhyme and metre. Music very important. Poets were usually composers as well and set their poems to music.

Society destroyed by the Albigensian Crusade (first part of the thirteenth century). Many southern lords destroyed or impoverished and replaced by northern invaders. Deathblow to troubadours, many of whom fled to Aragon and Italy where troubadour poetry continued to enjoy great prestige. Dante admired the troubadours very much.

XIIIth century

XIIIth century sees poetry continue with poets like Peire Cardenal and there are some surviving poems, which show that there was an epic tradition (Daurel et Beton), and a romance tradition (JaufrÐ"© and Flamenca).

XIVth century

Poetry becomes conventional with few outstanding poets, but real efforts to preserve the traditions and language. 1323 foundation of the Consistori del Gai Saber. The Jeux Floraux at Toulouse where prizes were awarded to the best poets. Religious poetry flourished (La Vida de Sant Onorat) and there was some epic poetry (Ronsasvals). Some theatre and prose especially religious (Barlaam et Josafat), but also secular (Melusino, Chronique de Montpellier).

XVth century

A period of decline in quality and quantity. Some theatre (les mystÐ"Ёres rouergats and alpins), some prose (Chronique des Comtes de Foix et seigneurs du Bearn by Michel Bernis 1445). Period when ProvenÐ"§al writers are turning towards French for political and prestigious reasons.

XVIth century

Despite the Ð"©dit de Villers-Cotterets (1539) enforcing the use of French in official documents, a period of some revival. Particularly inGascony where the efforts of the navarese Kings to maintain their independence meant some of Gascon. Pey de Garros (1565) wrote Psaumes for Jeanne d'Albret. Guillaume du Bartas (also wrote in French) and Auger Gaillard (Lou Banquet 1583 republished three times) both use Gascon. In Provence Louis Bellaud (1543-88) and Pierre Paul poets of some merit with many followers.

XVIIth century

Goudelin (1589-1649) outstanding poet of Toulouse life. Several Gascon writers continue the tradition of defending their language. Many followers of Goudelin. FranÐ"§ois de CortÐ"Ёte, seigneur de Prades (1586-1667) very popular Agenais dramatist. Considerable output of varied quality in Provence but Nicholas Saboly (1614-75) at Avignon had great success with his Noels and later influenced