Berenguer d'Anoia facts for kids
Berenguer d'Anoia (also known as Berenguer de Noya) was a Catalan troubadour who lived around the year 1300. He came from Majorca, an island near Spain. A troubadour was a poet and musician in the Middle Ages.
Berenguer d'Anoia wrote an important book called Mirall de trobar. This book was about how to write poetry, understand grammar, and use language well. It was written in Occitan, a language spoken in parts of France and Spain. His book was similar to other popular guides for poets from his time.
Who Was Berenguer d'Anoia?
Berenguer d'Anoia's parents were noble people from Catalonia. They came from a village called Sant Sadurní d'Anoia. Later, they moved to Inca in Majorca. This happened after James the Conqueror took over Majorca.
We know about Berenguer's family from a special message hidden in his own writings. It's called an acrostic. An acrostic is a poem or text where the first letter of each line spells out a word or message.
Here is what his acrostic says:
- Berenguer d'Anoia I am called;
- my father was a nobleman.
- In Inca was I born,
- and in Anoia were born my parents.
About the Mirall de trobar
Berenguer d'Anoia's book, Mirall de trobar, means "Mirror of Troubadours." It starts with an introduction that explains its four main parts. These parts teach about different ways to write poetry. They also show common mistakes poets might make.
The book uses examples from other troubadours' poems. This helps readers understand the lessons better. Berenguer d'Anoia did not write many poems himself. But some parts of his book are thought to be his own work.
For example, here is a short piece from his book. It is an example of a religious alba, which is a type of poem about dawn:
- Watch out, be careful
- so that the castle
- that God entrusted to you
- is not stolen from you.
- For if it is new,
- it is not the one
- that has deceived many.
- Do not trust the enemy
- who bothers you for pleasure,
- but rather make your watch well.
Legacy and Recognition
The Institut Berenguer d’Anoia is a school in Inca, Spain. It was founded in 1970. This school was named after the troubadour Berenguer d'Anoia to honor him.
See also
In Spanish: Berenguer de Noya para niños
