Bodel, Jehan

(b c1165; d between 1 Oct 1209 and 2 Feb 1210). French trouvère. Though a poet by profession, he may have been attached to the magistracy of Arras as sergeant. He apparently enjoyed the protection of the mayor, Sauwalon Huchedieu, and other wealthy people. He was an original, versatile and influential writer whose works include the Chanson de Saisnes (a long epic dealing with Charlemagne), nine fabliaux, the Jeu de Saint Nicolas and the Congés (in which he bade farewell to his friends and native city after contracting leprosy in 1202, a circumstance that prevented his joining the Fourth Crusade). Of musical interest are a group of five pastourelles, ascribed to Bodel chiefly in the Manuscrit du Roi (F-Pn fr.844). However, owing to the loss of a folio in this source, most melodies are unica in the Chansonnier de Noailles (F-Pn fr.12615). Except for Les un pin verdoiant which is hexasyllabic, the poems are heterometric; Entre le bois and L’autre jour are complex, asymmetrical works, employing five and six different line lengths respectively. Despite the use of bar form in three works, there is a minimum of strict repetition. Considerable interest is displayed in variation and development; some materials appear in different guises in as many as four or five phrases.

WORKS

Edition: Trouvère Lyrics with Melodies: Complete and Comparative Edition, ed. H. Tischler, CMM, cvii (1997)

BIBLIOGRAPHY

K. Bartsch, ed.: Romances et pastourelles françaises des XIIe et XIIIe siècles (Leipzig, 1870/R)

C. Foulon: L'oeuvre de Jehan Bodel (Paris, 1958)

For further bibliography see Pastourelle; Troubadours, trouvères.

THEODORE KARP