Ivanhoe: A Romance, Page 49

  NOTE TO CHAPTER XVII.

  Note C.--Minstrelsy.

  The realm of France, it is well known, was divided betwixt the Normanand Teutonic race, who spoke the language in which the word Yes ispronounced as "oui", and the inhabitants of the southern regions, whosespeech bearing some affinity to the Italian, pronounced the same word"oc". The poets of the former race were called "Minstrels", and theirpoems "Lays": those of the latter were termed "Troubadours", and theircompositions called "sirventes", and other names. Richard, a professedadmirer of the joyous science in all its branches, could imitate eitherthe minstrel or troubadour. It is less likely that he should have beenable to compose or sing an English ballad; yet so much do we wish toassimilate Him of the Lion Heart to the band of warriors whom he led,that the anachronism, if there be one may readily be forgiven.