María Pérez Balteira facts for kids

A picture from the Cancioneiro da Ajuda, showing a soldadeira (right) dancing and playing a pandeiro.

María Pérez (who lived in the 1200s), known as La Balteira ("the Balteira"), was a talented woman from Galicia. She was a trobairitz, which means she was a female composer and singer of songs. She was also a soldadeira, a type of performer who danced and entertained people.

Her Life and Music

María Pérez was a very creative person. She wrote and sang many different kinds of songs. She even composed sacred plainsong, which is a type of religious music. She was also a bit of an adventurer, traveling and performing in royal courts across Europe.

María Pérez was very popular in the courts of important kings. She performed for Ferdinand III of Castile and his son, Alfonso X of Castile. King Alfonso X was so impressed by her talent that he even wrote a song dedicated to her!