Toulouse. Back to the end of the 12th century in the footsteps of Peire Vidal, the traveler troubadour
Through Toulouse editorial office
Published on
“So es En Pierre Vidais, Cel qui mante domnei e drudaria, E fa que pros per amor de amia, Et ama mais batalhas e torneis, Que monges patz, e sembla I malaveis, Trop Sojonar et estar un loc” Messire Peire Vidal, He who requested courtesy and gallantry, Who acts as a valiant man for the love of his crumb, Who likes battles and tournaments better, Than a monk does not like peace and for whom it is a disease, Stay and stay in the same place).
Cantor of Toulouse art
With Raimon de Miraval and Aimeric de Péguilhan, Peire Vidal is one of the particularly prolix cantors of Toulouse art from the end of the 12th centurye century and early 13th century.
After various studies, he is attributed about fifty pieces, with a keen sense of caricature and irony that distinguish him from his colleagues. Although celebrated and complimented in the great courts of medieval Europe, he, the son of a modest artisan shoveler, can not help tarnishing his reputation by some “extravagances” which puts his life in peril and to wander here and there, according to encounters and conquests, from Toulouse to Hungary, via Sardinia and Salonika.
Raimond V and Alfonso II of Aragon, his faithful protectors
At the bend of some dawn, he allows himself to throw pikes against some powerful locals. The latter even end up winning to their cause the Count of Toulouse Raimond V. Annoyed by his claims, the sovereign, the first to bring him to his court in the early 1180s, ended up being the hunter.
Deep dismay
But the quarrel did not last long. In 1187, he returns in favor with his lord and enchants him again with his verses and ritornellos. Seven years later, the death of his faithful protector plunges him into deep disarray for many months. As a sign of mourning, he shaves the heads of his servants and cuts off the queue and the ears of his horses, as the journalist Philippe Hugon mentions in his book “Histoires vivues et insolites” from Toulouse.
But his love of life and earthly pleasures is stronger than sorrow. His appetite for beautiful ladies sometimes met him in situations for the less delicate. What does it matter! He knows he can find refuge with his other patron: Alfonso II of Aragon, who appoints him tax collector of his children.
Our fantastic troubadour who loves nothing less than the Bohemian life, loves a taste for danger. He sieges, disguised as a wolf, the home of Lola de Pénautier, before being chased … by shepherds from the surroundings.
Friend of Richard the Lionheart
But the baladin in love with elsewhere remains a man of his time, attached to the land religion. His fame, which went beyond courts and lordships, brought him to Palestine. There, he participated in the crusade with the armies of Philippe Auguste and Richard the Lionheart with whom he formed a strong and sincere friendship.
Confrontation or reality? At least that’s what he wrote, not hesitating to stage at the heart of some epic feats of arms. The military adventure only lasts a while. Here he comes back to roam the roads of southern Europe where he was invited to Italian courts, again arousing praise and enmity, including that of the formidable Marquis de Lancia.
In 1205, the elusive courteous and satirical poet once again joined Marseille, he had to join the island of Malta. Is this a new step or the deliberate choice of an ultimate exile after a hectic life? No one will ever know …
Mathieu Arnal
Has this article been useful to you? Note that you can follow Actu Toulouse in the Mon Actu space. In one click, after registration, you will find all the news of your favorite cities and brands.