Arnaut Catalan

Arnaut Catalan (fl. 1219–1253) was a troubadour active in the Languedoc, Catalonia, and Castile. He left behind five "cansos", three "tensos", and one religious song.

Arnaut's origins are disputed. Most Catalan scholars, such as Milà and Fontanals, believe him to be a Catalan, hence his nickname. Others, such as Chabaneau, assign him to a prominent family from Toulouse named "Catalan". If the latter is correct he is probably the same as the Dominican Inquisitor who persecuted Cathars with such force that he was almost killed by a mob in Albi in 1234. The troubadour was probably in Lombardy at the Este court in Caleone between 1221 and 1233. [An "Arnault" and "Arnaldon" are recorded there in this period.]

Four of Arnaut's "cansos" are dedicated to Beatrice of Savoy, ["Lanquan vinc en Lombardia" and "Chantan cue brima feunia" are examples.] wife of Raymond Berengar IV of Provence, and one of his "tensos" was composed with Raymond. ["Amics N'Arnautz, cent dompnas d'aut paratge".] An Arnaldus Catalanus, probably Arnaut, confirmed a donation of Raymond's at Aix-en-Provence on 29 August 1241. In 1252 a Don Arnaldo was in Castile at the court of Alfonso X, where he composed a "tenso" with the king, his part being Occitan and the king's Galician-Portuguese. Arnaut composed one other "tenso" with a poet named Vaquier.

Notes

ources

*Riquer, Martín de. "Los trovadores: historia literaria y textos". 3 vol. Barcelona: Planeta, 1975.