poets that flourished in Provence during the 12th century.

They wrote poems on love and gallantry; on the illustrious characters and remarkable events of the times; satires which were chiefly directed against the clergy and monks; and a few didactic pieces. The troubadours were great favourites in different courts, diffused a taste for their language and for poetry over Europe, which was about that time sunk in ignorance and rudeness; they disappeared in the 14th century. A history of the troubadours in 3 volumes 12mo, was begun by M. de Sainte l'alaie, and finished by the Abbé Millot. See MUSIC, n° 23.