XXIII. Dijfertation on the Lives and Works offeveral Anglo-Norman Poets of the Thirteenth Century. In a Letter from Monf. De La Rue to John Henniker Major, Efq. M. P. F. R. S. and F. A. S. Tranjlated from the French. i Read March 29, 1798. SIR, HAVE in feveral diflertations [a] already treated of fome of the Anglo-Norman Trouveres [b] of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. As a purfuit of this kind muft of neceffity throw great light on the literary hiflory of England in an age of fuch obfcurity, I am convinced that my refearches of this nature muft be exceed- ingly welcome to you ; and it is with the greateft pleafure that I take the prefent moment to communicate to you this part of my labours on the poets of the thirteenth century, [] See Archaeologia, Vol. XII. p. 50, 297. .. [/>] Trouveres, or Troubadours, were the nrit of Provence poets, who invented the fables, that the ancient minftrels went about flnging in the ho-ufes of the great. They were alfo called Troupadours, Trouveours, Trcuveurs, and Trompadours, or Trom- badours. Thefe Trombadours were the firft French poets ; for we ought not to allow this title to the bards, compolers of barbarous verfes, who made their appearance in the firft ages of the French monarchy. Some think that the Trouveres were thofe poets who lived in the middle and northern parts of France, as diftinguHhed from thofe who lived in the fouth, parti- cularly Provence, who were called Troubadours. Communicated by Mr. Moyfant. I. H. M. 6 STEPHEN
