For the Love of Money
by Mistress Isa
Whether it be the carefully arranged words of a poem, the artful strokes of a painter's brush, or the gentle harmonies of a wanton troubadour, the literature, art, and music which blossomed during the age of chivalry drew inspiration from a common source: love. But the medieval writers who composed poems, sonnets, odes, and verse about courtly love were also inspired by another great motivator: money.
Of all of the arts, music was one of the most popularly patronized. Often the youngest sons of the family, troubadours (smart, well-traveled, and good humored young men) rather than dedicating their lives to the Church as tradition would suggest, instead sang of forbidden love, long journeys, and beautiful women. While troubadours often found long-term employment with a lord, many travelled from court to court in search of patronage.
Writers and poets, on the other hand, often held more lucrative permanent positions and wrote in their spare time to supplement their income; only a fortunate few made a comfortable living writing chronicles and odes in honor of their patrons. Geoffrey Chaucer, who's first major work, Death of Blanche the Duchess, was written for his patron, made his living as a customs official, while poetess Christine de Pisan was part of the minority fortunate enough to make a career of the written word.
In the days of royal courts and nobility, nobles or members of the court often enlisted the talents of a writer to chronicle a family history, write a piece in celebration of a special event (such as a wedding, a feast, or a tournament), or compose eulogies honoring the deceased. The balance in the relationship between poets and their patrons was provided by philanthropy. Writers were rewarded for their literary efforts with gifts and money, and their patrons were honored with the fame and glory that these writings bestowed upon them.
Marie, Countess of Champagne, the daughter of Eleanor of Aquitaine and a famed patron of the arts, influenced her chaplain Andreas Capellanus to write a treatise called On the Art of Honest Love, a satirical demonstration of ladies and knights holding mock trials to judge the admissibility of a lover's conduct. But not all of the literature inspired by chivalry was composed for money or love.
Ramon Lull, a philosopher, mystic, and writer, was born into nobility, and he enthusiastically learned the chivalrous manners and troubadour songs and just as zealously ignored the morals they were based on. He led a life of indulgence and although married at the age of 25 and was the father of two children, he nevertheless was compulsively unfaithful. Yet one day while writing a love song, an epiphanic vision prompted him to reform his ways. After studying Latin, theology, philosophy, and Arabic, he made a pilgrimage of poverty and dedicated the rest of his life to spreading the values of chivalry, determined to convert the Moors to Christianity.
To patronize the arts today you need not be a wealthy noble. Modern convenience has made it easy to buy a CD or go to a concert, see a play, buy a book, or go to a museum opening. The days of poets and troubadours and their patrons may have evolved, but they are still a part of today's rich tapestry of life.