Gillebert de Berneville

Gillebert (Guillebert) de Berneville (fl. c. 1250–80) was a French trouvère. In its time, "his poetry was much appreciated", but it is "[n]either original nor profound," rather he was and is admired more for "facility, grace and mastery of form".[1] Despite his popularity, most of his songs are found in only a small number of chansonniers.

Gillebert worked within the circle of poets at Arras, which is close to his home town of Berneville, and had contact with the most prominent men of the region. He composed jeux-partis with Henry III, Duke of Brabant, and Thomas Herier. He also entered into competitions under the judgement of Charles of Anjou, Raoul de Soissons, the Châtelain de Beaumetz, Hue d'Arras and perhaps Beatrice, sister of Henry III and widow of William II, Count of Flanders. Gillebert dedicated chansons to Charles of Anjou, Huitace de Fontaines, Béatrice d'Audenarde and Colart le Boutellier. His chanson "Je n'ëusse ja chanté" was crowned ("couronnée") by the Puy d'Arras, and ten later poems are modeled on works ascribed to him. Roussiaus le Taillier sought to flatter him in his Arras est escole de tous biens entendre.

Notes

  1. ↑ Karp, "Gillebert de Berneville".

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