Amusing Trace in the History

We don’t know the exact name of a troubadour and patron of troubadours Dauphin d’Auvergne. He is sometimes called Robert, but there is no solid evidence that it was really his name. We do know that he was born around 1150 and died either in 1234 or 1235. He was from the wealthy and noble family and his full title was Count of Clermont and Montferrand. Dauphin added the second title through the marriage to Guillemette de Comborn, countess of Montferrand.

All troubadours that worked with him or sang at his court left their trace in his history. Those were the times! Among these troubadours were Peirol, Perdigon, Peire de Maensac, Gaucelm Faidit, and Uc de Saint Circ. One musical exchange between Dauphin and Perdigon marks a stage in the poetical debate, begun by Guilhem de Saint-Leidier and taken up by brilliant trobaritz Azalais de Porcairagues and Raimbaut of Orange, as to whether a lady is dishonored by taking a lover who is richer than herself. A song on the same subject was composed by Guiraut de Bornelh and king Alfonso II of Aragon. Contemporaries claim that Dauphin was amazing and witty poet. His cousin, bishop Robert of Clermont used to exchange satirical and erotic verses with him, as did famous Richard the Lionheart.