Bernal de Bonaval facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bernal(do) de Bonaval(le)
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|---|---|
| Born | |
| Died |
Unknown
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| Nationality | Galician |
| Other names | Bernardo (de) Bonaval |
| Occupation | Troubadour |
| Years active | 13th century |
|
Notable work
|
"A dona que eu amo" |
Bernal de Bonaval was a famous troubadour from the 1200s. A troubadour was like a poet and musician who wrote and performed songs, often about love and adventure. Bernal lived in the Kingdom of Galicia, which was a part of what is now Spain and Portugal. He wrote his poems in the Galician-Portuguese language.
Contents
Not much is known for sure about Bernal's life. We don't have many records from that time.
Sources say he was from Santiago de Compostela, a city in modern-day Spain. His name, "de Bonaval," might mean he was from a place called Bonaval, possibly near a Convent of San Domingos de Bonaval outside the old city walls. Some people even think he might have been a friar, which is a type of religious brother, in the Dominican Order.
When Did He Live?
Bernal was active during the 13th century, which means the 1200s. Some historians think he might have been born even earlier, in the late 1100s. He was well-known at the royal courts of important kings like Fernando III and Alfonso X. These kings ruled Galicia during his time.
How Was He Known?
Bernal was quite famous among other poets. King Alfonso X even mentioned him in a poem from 1266. The king said that another poet didn't write like the famous poets from Provence (a region in France), but "like Bernaldo de Bonaval." This shows that Bernal had his own unique style of writing poetry. Other troubadours, like João Baveca, also mentioned Bernal in their own verses.
His Amazing Works
Bernal de Bonaval was one of the earliest known xograres or segreis, which are terms for Galician troubadours. He created many poems and songs.
What Kind of Poems Did He Write?
Nineteen of his works are still around today!
- Ten of his poems are cantigas de amor. These were songs about courtly love, which was a special kind of respectful love for a noble lady.
- Eight of his poems are cantigas de amigo. These songs often featured a female voice talking about her feelings for her beloved.
- He also wrote one tensón. A tensón was like a poetry debate between two poets. Bernal's tensón was with another poet named Abril Pérez.
Bernal was special because he brought everyday ideas and realistic details into his poetry. Before him, much of the poetry was more formal and academic. His songs are kept safe in old books called the Cancioneiro da Vaticana and the Cancioneiro da Biblioteca Nacional.
See also
In Spanish: Bernal de Bonaval para niños
