Bertran de Born was a baron from the Limousin in France, and one of the major Occitan troubadours of the 12th-13th century. He composed love songs (cansos) but was better known for his political songs (sirventes). He was involved in revolts against Richard I and then Phillip II. He married twice and had five children. In his final years, he became a monk.
Bertran as a knight, from a 13th-century chansonnier
Bertran jousting, from a 13th-century manuscript
Doré's illustration of Bertran in Hell, from Dante's L'Inferno
A troubadour was a composer and performer of Old Occitan lyric poetry during the High Middle Ages (1100–1350). Since the word troubadour is etymologically masculine, a female troubadour is usually called a trobairitz.
The troubadour Perdigon playing his fiddle.
William IX of Aquitaine portrayed as a knight, who first composed poetry on returning from the Crusade of 1101
Trobadours, 14th century
Musicians in the time of the Cantigas de Santa Maria. These were in the court of the king, two vielle players and one citoler.