Feudal Society and the Rise of Courtly Love (11th-13th Centuries)
Feudal Society (11th-13th Centuries)
Social Classes
- Nobility: Managed lands, held command, resided in castles and palaces.
- Commoners: Worked the land, tended animals, lived in huts made of mud and reeds.
To exert control over the commoners, the nobility established a hierarchy of loyal followers bound by oaths of fealty and dependence.
Oath of Allegiance
The hierarchical relationships between nobles were formalized through written contracts and rituals of homage and oaths of allegiance. The lord granted land to his vassal, who in turn kissed his hand, knelt before him, and publicly swore loyalty and service.
Courtly Culture
From the 11th century onward, the feudal courts of Western Europe cultivated a distinct culture. The ideal courtly knight was expected to be courageous, generous, kind, loyal, intelligent, and passionate.
This era saw the birth of troubadour poetry, a genre characteristic of the aristocracy. It reflected the life, social values, and environment of the nobility.
Within the courts, where men outnumbered women, the lady held a central position. Often older, educated, wealthy, and powerful, she was the object of the knights’ affections and tributes.
Courtly Love Songs (William of Cabestany)
During the 12th and 13th centuries, the practice of composing and singing love songs spread throughout the courts, particularly in Southern France and Northern Italy.
- Troubadour: Composed the lyrics and music, adhering to a specific metrical structure.
- Jester: Performed the songs publicly in the courts, incorporating singing, dancing, and games.
The songs of courtly love, often depicting the love between a married lady and her vassal, celebrated the lady’s virtues and beauty, expressing the knight’s devotion through even the simplest gestures. Because the lady was married, the troubadour often referred to her using a secret name or symbol.
Courtly love poetry emphasized a tender, emotional connection, unlike earlier forms of love poetry. Occasionally, ladies grew jealous of the troubadours and treated them cruelly.
Poetry as a Political Weapon
Troubadour poetry also served as a tool for political and social struggle. A nobleman might use a poem set to music, known as a sirventes, to attack or satirize an enemy, spreading political propaganda through popular song.
Bergueda William, a renowned troubadour, was known for his aggressive style. Upon the death of Pontius William, to whom he was devoted, he composed a planh (a lament) in her memory.
Troubadour Poetry in Catalan Territories
The fame of troubadour poetry reached Catalan poets, who began composing their own poems in the style of the Provençal troubadours. Occitan, the language of troubadour poetry, gained prominence due to geographical proximity, linguistic affinity, and economic and political ties between the regions (9th-13th centuries).
From the 16th century onward, poets like Ausiàs March began writing in Catalan.
Ramon Llull (1235-1315)
Ramon Llull, a nobleman, lived in the court of Prince James of Majorca. After 30 years, married with two children, he experienced a life-altering religious conversion. He dedicated himself to religious activities, spending nine years in study and prayer. He aimed to preach to Muslims and learned Arabic from a slave, who later died by suicide.
Following a divine revelation on Mount Randa, Llull developed his “Art,” a method for converting non-believers through logical arguments. His goals included converting infidels to Christianity, writing books to disseminate his beliefs, and establishing language schools to train preachers. He advocated debate over violence as the best teaching method.
Llull dedicated over forty years to writing, becoming the first major writer in Catalan and a significant figure in world literature. He used Catalan to address topics previously discussed only in Latin, producing sermons, critiques, philosophical and scientific treatises, stories, poems, and more. His life was filled with travel, missionary work, and political engagement. He wrote in Catalan, Latin, and Arabic.
Among his notable works are the novels Blanquerna and Felix (also known as the Book of Marvels and Wonders). Llull’s writing reflects his didactic approach, using examples, short stories, and fables to convey his teachings.
Llull, Defender of the Established Order
The Book of Beasts, Llull’s most popular work, is a political allegory featuring talking animals. It satirizes court intrigues and the power dynamics between the Lion and the Fox, using animal behavior to mirror human actions.
Missions and Martyrdom
From 1280 to 1315, Llull continued his travels, visiting Rome, Naples, Montpellier, Paris, Tunisia, Cyprus, and Armenia to promote his doctrines. His missionary work faced numerous challenges. He was imprisoned, tortured, and sentenced to death in Tunis in 1293 for opposing Islamic law. He was poisoned in Cyprus in 1302 and beaten in Bougie in 1307. Legend says he was stoned to death by infidels in 1315 on his way to Majorca.
The Four Great Chronicles
Minstrels recounted the stories of ancestors through songs that blended fact and fiction. During the 13th and 14th centuries, at the request of Catalan counts and kings, the first written historical texts emerged. These Catalan Chronicles include: The Chronicle of James I, The Chronicle of Bernat Desclot, The Chronicle of Ramon Muntaner, and The Chronicle of Peter IV of Aragon.