Gaucelm Faidit facts for kids
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Gaucelm Faidit (born around 1156, died around 1209) was a famous troubadour. Troubadours were poets and musicians in medieval France. His name, "Faidit," means "the Dispossessed." He was born in Uzerche, a town in the Limousin region of France. His family were knights who served the Count of Turenne.
Gaucelm's Travels and Friends
Gaucelm Faidit traveled a lot during his life. He visited many places in France, Spain, and Hungary. He had important supporters, called patrons, who helped him with his work. These included Geoffrey II, Duke of Brittany and Dalfi d'Alvernha.
He also spent time in Poitiers at the court of Richard I of England. When King Richard died in 1199, Gaucelm wrote a famous planh. A planh is a special type of sad song or poem. It is written to mourn someone's death.
His Adventures and Crusades
It is thought that Gaucelm might have joined the Third Crusade. This was a big journey to the Holy Land between 1189 and 1191. It is more certain that he went on the Fourth Crusade in 1202. His patron at the time, Boniface of Montferrat, also joined this crusade. After 1202, there are no more records of Gaucelm.
Gaucelm was married to a woman named Guillelma Monja. Old stories say she was very beautiful and well-educated. She traveled with him, even on the Crusade.
Gaucelm's Poems and Music
About seventy of Gaucelm's poems are still known today. We also have fourteen of his melodies. Six of his poems were written for Boniface of Montferrat. Twelve others were for Maria de Ventadorn.
Some of his poems come with detailed explanations called razós. These razós often tell stories about love and rivalries. They explain what inspired Gaucelm to write the poems. These stories mention people like Hugh IX of Lusignan and his son Hugh X. They also mention Alfonso II, Count of Provence and others.
