The word "minstrel" comes from the Latin ministerialis , which translates as "servant." However, we know it under a completely different meaning: a poet musician, a wandering performer of serenades, etc.
Meaning of the word “minstrel”
General value . This term refers to music poets, not only male but also female. In a word, in the general sense of the word, minstrels are professional singers of medieval Europe starting from the 12th century ( early Renaissance). They earned their living by singing, as well as playing various musical instruments without notes. The closest in meaning to this word is the French term jongleur (juggler). Unlike our usual understanding, it is interpreted as a “venturer,” “event organizer.” That is, it is not only a musician, but also an acrobat, jester, narrator, magician, etc. The creativity of such artists was oral, so the musical manuscripts of minstrels were practically not preserved. Modern followers are trying in some way to recreate their works, relying on literary and iconographic evidence.
Medieval interpretation . According to this interpretation, minstrels are poets-singers, who were written about in the 19th century romantic literature.
Modern understanding (starting from the 20th century). So called poets-musicians who perform author’s songs. They can be both professionals and amateurs.
History
Minstrels appeared in the 12th century in the province of Provence (France). On the streets of cities and villages, one could see wandering singers and poets who sang songs of their own composition and themselves accompanied themselves on any instrument. These wandering artists were called troubadours. This name was translated from the Provence dialect as "the art of composing."
According to sources, these wanderers made good money. They were popular both among ordinary people, and among gentlemen-feudal lords. If the song was to the liking of a nobleman, then he, as a rule, generously gifted the musician. The townspeople also did not stint to reward the singers for the pleasure.
After 100 years, the troubadours were renamed minstrels. However, this was called not only poets-singers, but also the whole fraternity of vagrant artists: dancers, musicians, jugglers, etc. That is, in the medieval sense, minstrels are all vagrant artists, regardless of what type of creativity they were engaged in.
As already mentioned, the primary meaning of this word is a servant in the service. Nevertheless, in the XIII century this term was used to refer to free artists who were not in the service of anyone. They traveled all over Europe, performed at holidays in one place or another, and their appearance was always greeted by locals with a bang.
There were also roving musicians in Germany, however they were called here minnesingers - singers of love. As you can see, there is a difference from the Latin interpretation, according to which minstrels are servants.
What were minstrels singing about?
They sang songs about everything: about knightly campaigns, and about love, and about betrayal, and about brave warriors, and about wise kings. Genres performed by minstrels also included pastorals. These works were romantic musical sketches about the life of rural residents, in particular shepherds and shepherds. However, the main theme of the songs was the noble and sincere feelings of the knight to his beautiful lady.
Modernity
These days, some musicians are also called minstrel. "Who is this?" - Surely some uninitiated will ask. Modern minstrels also create songs and perform them themselves. These performers belong to a special subculture. After a long break (in the 3-4th century), some bard singers were called minstrels in the 1960s. And from 1979 until the collapse of the USSR , the Moscow newspaper about amateur performances was called this word. A role movement was later created, and all the participants who were related to it were called minstrels.