Blondel, a minstrel nicknamed for his long blond hair, took part in the Third Crusade. During this time he and Richard the Lionheart composed a song together, a song known only to the two of them... some special moments they have shared, i guess :))
On his way back to England, Richard was captured at Vienna and imprisioned in Dürenstein castle. Even though Richard had been travelling in disguise, he was identified either because he was wearing an expensive ring, or because of his insistence on eating roast chicken! Hehehe, so better do not insist on eating roast chicken when disguised as low-ranking pilgrim!
There is a legend that the troubadour Blondel found the castle where Richard was imprisoned. It is said that Blondel traveled from castle to castle singing the song they had composed together (Blondel si Richardel - MELODIA MEA!). When he got near the right castle, Richard replied with the refrain and so Blondel discovered where the king was confined.
We do love medieval folklore, so let's enjoy the legend and forget for a while that in fact, there was no mystery about Richard's captivity place.
As I have said so many other times, this world is such a small place...
Richard I still stands next to the Parliament Buildings, near Westminster Abbey
one of Blondel's melodies is used in Carmina Burana
upholding justice in king's name during Richard's imprisonment is... Robin Hood
BUT
That's another legend!
4 comments:
ala carcotashu'revine cu o noua observatie usturatoare :
Asa cum cantecul lu Blondel asta din poza din dreapta si Richardel ala de la Westminster .... la fel si cuvantul Cruisade din Cruise si Sade ... all in all, cred ca se spune Crusade :D hahahaha gotcha !
Sa traiasca nea' carcotasu', mare om!
Usturatoare, da' buna observatia, am modificat din CRUISADE in CRUSADE, Multzu MiCA!
Semper ubi sububi in caput tuum.
First, I gave some more details for the pictures I posted.
Second, Lionheart (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionheart_(comics) )is the name of the new protector of Britain in Marvel comics. It used to be Captain Britain (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_Britain).
There are two musicals about Blondel. One, from 1784, specifically refers to his rescue of Richard (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Coeur-de-lion_(opera) ) and the other is a slightly more modern version:
'Come back with us to the middle ages
And hear the story we've rehearsed.
A heart-warming story of a medieval minstrel by the name of Blondel
And the monarchy served so faithfully,
King Richard the First.
Richard the Lionheart, in French Coeur de Lion,
Was however the name by which he was known at the time
Because, afterall, it was 1189
And nobody had heard of Richard the Second
Let alone Richard the Third.'
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blondel_(musical)
Hahahaha, Quiquid latine dictum sit altum viditur.
Thanks for the details!
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