Guillaume de Ferrières facts for kids
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Guillaume de Ferrières (around 1150 – April 1204) was a French nobleman. He held the title of Vidame de Chartres. A vidame was a special kind of lord who acted as a military leader for a bishop. Guillaume is likely the same person as a famous medieval poet and musician, known as a trouvère, who used the title "Vidame de Chartres" for his works. He wrote eight songs, though some are also linked to other writers. It's important not to confuse him with another trouvère, Raoul de Ferrières.
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Guillaume de Ferrières: A Knight and Poet
Who Was Guillaume?
Guillaume de Ferrières was an important figure in medieval France. He was born around 1150. As the Vidame of Chartres, he had duties to the Bishop of Chartres. This meant he was a powerful knight and leader in his region. He was also known for his artistic talents, especially his music and poetry.
A Knight on Crusade
Guillaume was a brave knight who joined two major religious wars called the Crusades. He fought in the Third Crusade (from 1188 to 1192). Later, he also joined the Fourth Crusade (from 1201 to 1204). He sadly died during the Fourth Crusade in a place called Romania.
One of his songs, Combien que j'aie demouré, talks about being forced to stay in a "hated land." This probably refers to a time in 1188. Before the Third Crusade began, the leaders, Richard the Lionheart and Philip Augustus, were arguing. Guillaume might have been stuck in southwestern France during this time.
A Talented Trouvère
Guillaume de Ferrières was also a talented trouvère. Trouvères were poets and musicians in northern France during the Middle Ages. They wrote and performed songs, often about love and chivalry.
One of Guillaume's most popular songs was Quant la saison du dous tens s'asseure. This song was even quoted in a famous knightly story called Guillaume de Dole. This story was written around the 1220s, which means Guillaume's song was popular much earlier. The old-fashioned melodies that go with his poems also suggest they were written before the year 1200.
There's one interesting puzzle about Guillaume's identity. The picture of the trouvère in the Chansonnier du Roi shows a specific coat of arms. This coat of arms belonged to the Meslay family later on. The Meslay family only became Vidames of Chartres in 1224. This makes it a bit tricky to fully connect the picture to Guillaume.
His Songs
Guillaume de Ferrières is known for eight songs. Only one of these songs is not also linked to another writer. However, only three of his songs are usually doubted to be his. One song, Quant foillissent li boscage, is almost certainly not his. Another song, Desconsilliez plus que nus hom qui soit, has no music. One old book says it was written by "Li viscuens de Chartres," which was probably a mistake for "vidame."
Most of Guillaume's songs have a similar structure. They often have ten syllables per line. The other three songs have different line lengths, but mostly eight syllables per line. All his melodies, except for one, are in a musical form called "bar form." They also cover a wide range of notes. While most of his songs have old musical patterns, these patterns can be different in various old books.
- Chascuns me semont de chanter
- Combien que j'aie demouré
- D'amours vient joie et honours ensement
- Quant la saison du dous tens s'asseure
- Tant ai d'amours qu'en chantant m'estuet plaindre
- Tant con je fusse fors de ma contree
- Songs that might not be his
- Desconsilliez plus que nus hom qui soit (no music)
- Li plus desconfortés du mont
- Quant foillissent li boscage
