Blondel de Nesle

Blondel de Nesle was the name attached to several trouvère songs. Blondel was in fact probably either Jean I, lord of Nesle (c.1150-1200) or his son Jean II.

Twenty four songs are attribured to him, all of which have music. They show a strong influence by the troubadour tradition.

Traditionally, Blondel was a friend of Richard the Lion-heart and was the "minstrel" who toured Austro-German castles singing a song the two had composed, in order to learn in which the king was imprisoned.