What is mester de juglares?

Mester de juglares, also known as the Craft of Jongleurs, was a medieval genre of poetry and song in Spain. It emerged in the 13th century and was popular throughout the 14th and 15th centuries. The poems and songs were performed by jongleurs, who were traveling performers and entertainers. They would perform in public squares, taverns, and at court.

The mester de juglares included a variety of compositions, including heroic poems, romances, satirical works, and religious poetry. They often celebrated the deeds of knights and nobles, with a strong emphasis on chivalric values such as honor, bravery, and loyalty. Religious themes were also common, with many poems dedicated to the Virgin Mary and other saints.

The mester de juglares was characterized by its rhythmic and musical qualities. Songs were typically performed with musical instruments, such as lutes and harps, and often had a repetitive structure to make them easier to remember and sing.

The genre declined in popularity during the 16th century as new literary forms, such as the sonnet and the novel, emerged. However, the mester de juglares remains an important part of Spanish literary and cultural history, and many of its works continue to be studied and performed today.