Minstrels
, or traveling thespians, thrived throughout Europe in medieval
times. The term minstrel referred to a professional entertainer of any kind
from the 12th century to the 17th century. were instrumentalist, but
were also often jugglers, acrobats, and storytellers. Although no
longer exist, they played an important role in medieval history and, at one time,
could be found, in one form or another, throughout the entire continent of
Europe.
Different countries had different names for minstrels. In Germany, they
were called minnesingers. In France, they were known as troubadours and
joungleurs. The Scandinavian minstrels were called skalds. The Irish called
their minstrels bards, while ...
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forms of entertainment, nor was there a means for
people to learn about news events. There was no television or radio in medieval
times. Even books were very scarce. Minstrels served to entertain the public.
They made up songs, stories, and repeated ballads and folk tales popular during
this time. Traveling from town to town minstrels were also a source of news.
This would share information with the townspeople of the village. The
townspeople would share this news with the minstrels who would then share this
news with the townspeople in the next village in which they performed.
Each country in medieval Europe had their own type of minstrel. Each,
while similar in their general role of entertainer, they were different in many
ways. Troubadour's, French minstrels, flourished in from the 11th century
through the 13th century. Troubadours were found in the southern part of France.
The troubadours were among the first minstrels to use their native tongue
rather than Latin. The ...
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Minstrels. (2004, March 3). Retrieved March 29, 2025, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Minstrels/3963
"Minstrels." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 3 Mar. 2004. Web. 29 Mar. 2025. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Minstrels/3963>
"Minstrels." Essayworld.com. March 3, 2004. Accessed March 29, 2025. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Minstrels/3963.
"Minstrels." Essayworld.com. March 3, 2004. Accessed March 29, 2025. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Minstrels/3963.
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