Sainte des Prez facts for kids

Sainte des Prez was a talented poet and musician from a long time ago, in the 1200s. She was a trouvère, which means she wrote and performed songs and poems in northern France. She likely came from a place called Le Prés, near La Ferté-sous-Jouarre.

We don't know much about Sainte des Prez, only what her name tells us. She might have been connected to another poet named Gui des Prés. He was mentioned in an old songbook from Siena. Some people think this Gui des Prés might even be the same person as Guy des Prés, who became a bishop of Noyon later in the 1200s.

In 1581, a historian named Claude Fauchet wrote about Sainte des Prez. He included her in his list of French poets who lived before the year 1300. This shows that her work was remembered even centuries later.

Her Poetic Style

Sainte des Prez was probably part of a group of trouvères who lived around the city of Arras. This area was a hub for poets and musicians during her time.

Her Only Known Work

Sainte des Prez wrote a special kind of poem called a jeu-parti. This was like a poetic debate or a challenge between two poets. Her jeu-parti is the only one of her works that we still have today.

She wrote this poem with another lady, who is only known as the Lady of La Chaucie. This lady probably came from La Chaussée, near Crouy-sur-Ourcq.

The poem starts with Sainte des Prez asking, "Que ferai je, dame de la Chaucie" (What shall I do, Lady of Chaucie). This line is how her poem is usually known.

The Debate in Her Poem

In the poem, the Lady of La Chaucie calls Sainte des Prez a damoisele, which means an unmarried young woman or maiden.

The two women debate an interesting question: How should a woman act when a man tells her he loves her? The Lady of La Chaucie, who seems older and more experienced, suggests that a woman should let the man speak his mind. However, Sainte des Prez is worried. She fears that she might be tricked or charmed by sweet words and flattery.