Becoming Trobairitz

This week, The Occitan University was in my home village of Laguepie in southern France for its annual visit. The university consists of a packed week of Occitan language classes and workshops and events on Occitan culture, including cooking, dancing, music, history, literature, and radio. The week culminated in a magical street party of impromptu singing, music and dancing.

I was invited to present a workshop over two mornings on learning to be a troubadour or trobairitz (female troubadour) and to give a presentation at the castle on three medieval Occitan female lords.

With workshop participants, Veronique Gaumont, Florence Poret, Tiffany Black, Christine Hopps and Anne Mylan, and colleague, Armandine Rey, we wrote our own  vidas (boastful troubadour biographies), cansos (love songs), and tensos (debate songs). The group came up with some fabulous and funny poetry, which was performed at the castle, with lovely harp playing from Veronique and Florence on accordion. A Troubadour Playlist and suggested Further Reading here.

Become a Trobairitz Workshop SourcesDownload

As darkness fell, I presented a talk on the 11th-century La Marche sisters, Almodis, countess of Toulouse and Barcelona; Rangarde, countess of Carcassonne; and Lucia, countess of Pallars Sobira. My presentation was opened and closed with two songs by the troubadour duke, Guillaume d’Aquitaine, performed by Amandine Rey. The castle on its rocky outcrop overlooking the valley and the Viaur river was a spectacular venue for the beautiful power of Amandine’s voice.

Guillaume d’Aquitaine and a trobairitz are characters in my new novel, Love’s Knife, published on 2 September and on preorder now.

Thanks to Tom for the photo and to Carlos for the rehearsal venue.

Three Female Lords SourcesDownload