Medieval Music

 

Medieval Music

 

Medieval Musicians

Medieval Musicians

 

Step back into history get Medieval facts and information about music, composers and musicians in the Middle Ages

Medieval Music

  • Read books from a history book club or watch the History Channel DVDs on Medieval Times
  • Influences on Music in Medieval Times
  • Medieval Times Musical Instruments
  • Medieval Times Entertainment
  • Medieval Times Troubadours and Minstrels
  • Styles of Music
  • Patronage
  • Medieval Music

 

 

Medieval Music

History, Facts and interesting information about Medieval music

History of Medieval Music
The Medieval saw the emergence of great changes in English society including the music played during the Medieval times and era. The violent times of the Dark Ages had led to a primitive society lacking in elegance or refinement. Medieval music consisted of the religious or secular music of the church, however some pagan rituals relating to music and dancing, such as Maypole dancing, continued throughout Medieval times. The times also saw society changing due to the influence from various foreign cultures. Travel, prompted by the Crusades, led to a new and unprecedented interest in beautiful objects, elegant manners, poetry and music. Medieval Music in Europe was influenced by Arab love songs. The ideals of courtly love were introduced and embellished by the Troubadours, Trouveres and Minstrels further influencing the content and styles of Medieval music.

History of Medieval Music - Courtly Love and the Troubadours
In the 11th and 12 centuries Troubadours, Trouveres and Minstrels were the poets and musicians who influenced Medieval Music. The troubadours and minstrels sang songs of courtly love and romance. The Normans had conquered the English during the Battle of Hastings of 1066 and brought their culture and music to the English realm. The songs of French troubadours were heard in English courts as a result of England's political affiliations and royal marriages. Since the Norman Conquest the language of the English court was French so the songs and music of the French troubadours, trouveres and minstrels were easily assimilated into English society. The aristocratic troubadours were poets who originated in the south of France where they wrote the lyrics in Provencal (langue d'oc). The elite troubadours of the north of France wrote in French  (langue d'oil) and were called called trouveres. Medieval poetry of the troubadours was invariably linked with music. The tales of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, originating with  music and the poems of the English and Welsh Bards, were themes which were included in the lyrics of the Troubadour and minstrels songs. Noble ladies of the Medieval period were famous for their patronage of Medieval Music. Eleanor of Aquitaine married King Henry II of England in 1152 and brought her love of music and the European troubadours to the English court transferring the tradition to England.

Foreign Influences over the Medieval Music of England
Some of the important influences over English Medieval Music can therefore by summarised by the following events:

  • The Norman conquest of 1066
  • The Crusades
  • Arab poetry and love songs
  • Changes in society and culture
  • The ideals of Courtly love, Chivalry and the Code of Chivalry
  • The music and songs of French troubadours, Trouveres and minstrels
  • The patronage of Medieval nobles  and women, including Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine

Traditional English Influences over Medieval Music
Traditional English influences over Medieval music included the following:

  • The growth of Christianity in the Dark Ages leading to the introduction of secular music in the Middle Ages
  • The stories and legends of the English, Welsh and Scottish bards
  • The ideals of Courtly love and Chivalry
  • The poets and authors of the era including the poetic trouveres and the writing of Geoffrey Chaucer
  • The music developed by the Medieval Waits
  • Existing English traditions in music

The Style of Medieval Music
Early Medieval Music was first performed in unison. The notes were usually the same length and song, or played, in the Key of C. Harmony was gradually introduced and by the 12th century a method of music notation developed which indicated the length of each note and the pitch.

History of Medieval Music - Musical Instruments
There was a great variety of musical instruments employed in the production of Medieval Music. Although much of the music was secular there was also a huge growth in entertainment for both the rich and the poor. Castles and courts employed their own musicians and then the towns started employ their own musicians, creating town bands who had evolved from the Waits.

Musicians Medieval

The Waits

History of Medieval Music
The Medieval Times website provides interesting facts, history and information about the musicians and styles of music which scatter the history books including Medieval Music. The Medieval Life and Times Sitemap provides full details of all of the information and facts about the fascinating subject of the lives of the people who lived during the historical period of the Middle Ages. The content of this article on Medieval music provides free educational details, facts and information for reference and research for schools, colleges and homework for history courses and history coursework.
 

 

 

Medieval Music

  • Read books from a history book club or watch the History Channel DVDs on Medieval Times
  • Influences on Music in Medieval Times
  • Medieval Times Musical Instruments
  • Medieval Times Entertainment
  • Medieval Times Troubadours and Minstrels
  • Styles of Music
  • Patronage
  • Medieval Music History

Helpful information for history courses and history coursework - Read History Books - Medieval Music - Musical Instruments - Troubadours - Musicians - Minstrels - Composers - Medieval Society - Realms - Medival - Lives -  Medival Era and Period - Medieval Music - History - Information - Facts - Info - Medieval Period - Medieval - Middle Ages Music - Dark Ages - Information about Medieval Music - Medieval Music Facts - Medieval Music Info - Medieval Times - Medieval Music - Medieval Music - Musical Instruments - Troubadours - Musicians - Minstrels - Composers - Medival Era and Period - History Channel DVDs - Written By Linda Alchin