A troubadour was a composer and performer of lyric poetry and music during the High Middle Ages, roughly from the 11th to the 13th century. Originating in the region of Occitania (southern France and parts of northern Spain and Italy), troubadours were often poet-musicians of knightly rank who wrote and sang primarily about themes of chivalry and courtly love. They entertained noble audiences by traveling from place to place and performing songs and epic poetry. The word "troubadour" comes from the Occitan word trobador , meaning "to compose," "to invent," or "to find." These artists played a significant cultural role in medieval Europe, influencing not only music but also storytelling, social ideals of love and romance, and even political discourse. Female counterparts of troubadours were called trobairitz. Troubadour poetry had various styles and genres, the most popular being the canso (love song), but with other forms like satirical or humorous songs as well. Their tradition declined in the 14th century but left a lasting impact on Western lyrical poetry and music. In modern usage, a troubadour can also mean a wandering singer-songwriter or folk musician, continuing the legacy of the medieval poet-musicians.
