Dauphin of Auvergne

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Dauphin d'Auvergne, or in Occitan Dalfi d'Alvernha was Count of Clermont and Montferrand (see Rulers of Auvergne), troubadour and patron of troubadours. He was born c. 1150 and died in 1234 or 1235. He is sometimes called Robert IV, Dauphin of Auvergne but there is no solid evidence for the name Robert, and the name can cause confusion since his first cousin once removed was Robert IV, count of Auvergne, who died in 1194.

Dauphin of Auvergne was the son of William of Auvergne, count of Clermont, and of Jeanne de Calabre. He married Guillemette de Comborn, countess of Montferrand, daughter of Archambaud, viscount of Comborn, and Jourdaine of Périgord. Their children were Aélis, Guillaume (William, later count of Clermont), Blanche and Alix.

Troubadours who worked with him or sang at his court include Peirol, Perdigon, Peire de Maensac, Gaucelm Faidit, Uc de Saint Circ; his cousin, bishop Robert of Clermont, exchanged satirical and erotic verses with him, as did Richard Coeur de Lion. One partimen between Dauphin and Perdigon marks a stage in the poetical debate, begun by Guilhem de Saint-Leidier and taken up by Azalais de Porcairagues and Raimbaut of Orange, as to whether a lady is dishonoured by taking a lover who is richer than herself. Another partimen on this subject was composed by Guiraut de Bornelh and king Alfonso II of Aragon.