Secular CantigasThere are more than 1600 surviving poets from many authors dating from the 13th and 14th centuries that comprise the Iberian troubadour tradition. These are taken from three surviving cancioneros (songbooks) and two parchments. Sadly, the only manuscripts still containing the musical notation for these songs are the parchments, leaving us only about 14 surviving melodies.
The cantigas are divided into three main types: Cantigas de Amor - love poetry from a man to his love Cantigas de Amigo - love poetry from a woman to her love, or sometimes to her mother or friend about her love Cantigas de Escarnho or Mal Dizer - satirical or bawdy poetry in mockery of love or nobility |
LinksCantigas Medievais Galego-Portugesas
This site is completely in Portuguese. However, it has the most comprehensive list of the secular Cantigas online, as well as transcriptions and recordings of the surviving music. There is also included the introduction to one of the manuscripts, describing the ideal troubadour. Portugal - Poetry International Web - Troubadour Poetry This site lists a few of the poems, as well as their English translations. It has a lot of valuable information about the tradition of troubadour poetry, however, including a wonderful article called "An Unsung Literature." 500 Cantigas d' Amigo Critical Edition This site has both the Portuguese and English translations of 500 of these Cantigas, with notes on the translation, available for download. |