Jean Molinet facts for kids
Jean Molinet (born 1435 – died 1507) was a talented French poet, chronicler (someone who writes down historical events), and composer. He is most famous for his prose (regular writing, not poetry) version of the old story Roman de la rose.
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Jean Molinet: Early Life and Work
Jean Molinet was born in Desvres, a town that is now part of France. He later went to study in Paris. In 1463, he started working for Charles, Duke of Burgundy. He became the secretary to another important writer, Georges Chastellain.
In 1464, Molinet wrote a political work called La complainte de Grece. This piece shared the views of the Burgundian side on important events happening at the time.
Becoming a Royal Historian
After Chastellain, Molinet took over as the official historian for the Duke in 1475. This meant it was his job to write down the history of the time. He also worked as the librarian for Margaret of Austria.
Molinet wrote a detailed chronicle (a record of historical events) that covered the years from 1474 to 1504. This important work was not published until much later, in 1828.
A Leader in Poetry
Jean Molinet was a key figure in a group of poets from Burgundy called the Grands Rhétoriqueurs. These poets were known for using many puns (wordplay) in their writing.
His nephew, Jean Lemaire de Belges, spent time with him in Valenciennes. Lemaire looked up to Molinet and considered himself a student of the older writer.
In 1501, Molinet became a canon (a type of priest) at the church of Notre-Dame in Valenciennes. He passed away there on August 23, 1507.
His Music and Legacy
Molinet was also a composer, meaning he wrote music. We know for sure that only one musical piece, a rondeau (a type of song) called Tart ara mon cueur sa plaisance, was written by him.
This song was very popular. It was an early chanson (a French song) written for four voices, which was unusual at the time since most were for three voices. Many copies of the song were made, showing how widely it was enjoyed.
Molinet is also remembered for a special poem he wrote when the famous composer Johannes Ockeghem died. This poem, called Nymphes des bois, was later set to music by another well-known composer, Josquin des Prez. Josquin included it in his famous motet (a type of choral music) called La déploration sur la mort de Johannes Ockeghem.
Molinet also exchanged letters with other composers of his time, like Antoine Busnois and Loyset Compère.
See also
In Spanish: Jean Molinet para niños
