Jongleurs were traveling entertainers of the dark ages, also known as minstrels, and, on occasion, troubadors. They rose from France and surrounding areas, and kept theatre alive in the age of the church. They in fact were responsible for the rise of mime as a theatrical movement, and were also known to juggle, perform various acts of daring and deceit, and put on plays, live and puppet, for the paying audience.

The jongleurs were social outcasts who wandered singly or in small groups from place to place during the 10th Century. The performed music, danced, and exhibited trained animals. They were among the first musicians to perform secular music. They were quite different from the troubadors as the troubadors were from the aristocracy and the jongleurs were common folk.

Jon"gleur (?), Jon"gler (?), n. [F. jongleur. See Juggler.]

1.

In the Middle Ages, a court attendant or other person who, for hire, recited or sang verses, usually of his own composition. See Troubadour.

Vivacity and picturesquenees of the jongleur's verse. J R. Green.

2.

A juggler; a conjuror. See Juggler.

Milton.

 

© Webster 1913.