What did minstrels do?

What did minstrels do?

minstrel, (from Latin ministerium, “service”), between the 12th and 17th centuries, a professional entertainer of any kind, including jugglers, acrobats, and storytellers; more specifically, a secular musician, usually an instrumentalist.

What is the main role of minstrels in medieval society?

The main task of a medieval minstrel was singing. For this purposes, a medieval minstrel often created his own ballads which were mainly based on myths and legends. During the medieval times, these songs were rich with tales of chivalry and courtly love.

What were traveling singers in the Middle Ages?

These travelling musicians were called minstrels in England, and troubadours or trouvères in many other countries, or Minnesinger in Germany. The minstrels often sang long songs which told stories (a ballad).

What did medieval minstrels wear?

Wandering minstrels and those who did not perform in court wore humble tunics and trousers just as other peasants did.

How did musicians make money in the Middle Ages?

Musicians were mostly near or at the bottom of the medieval feudal system. Musicians weren’t a big deal in the Middle Ages and were not praised as much as in later years. Their only income was from writing songs of which they did not make much money.

What was the attraction of the minstrel show?

Part of the draw of minstrel shows was the opportunity for white urban audiences to get a glimpse of purportedly genuine African American life, behavior, singing and dancing that took place on rural plantations. Songs supporting abolition emphasized the suffering of slaves rather than contentment on the plantation.

What did a minstrel do in medieval times?

A minstrel was a medieval European entertainer. Originally describing any type of entertainer such as a musician, juggler, acrobat, singer or fool, the term later, from the sixteenth century, came to mean a specialist entertainer who sang songs and played musical instruments.

Where did the wandering minstrels spend their time?

Some wandering minstrels spent their time travelling round the country. They performed in taverns, market-places or any other place they could find an audience who were willing to pay them.

When did the minstrels go out of business?

Some were women or women who followed minstrels in their travels. Minstrels throughout Europe also employed trained animals, such as bears. Minstrels in Europe died out slowly, having gone nearly extinct by about 1700, although isolated individuals working in the tradition existed even into the early 19th century.