Moniot d’ Arras (1213-1239)

Moniot d’ Arras was a French monk who served in the Abby of Arras. He was a poet and musical composer who wrote secular and sacred monophonic (single line melody with no accompaniment) songs. He wrote poems and songs for noble patrons which often told of courtly love and liaisons.

Moniot d’ Arras was part of the troubadores and trouveres tradition. Troubadours (poets and musicians from southern France) and Trouveres (poets and musicians from northern France) were usually employed by aristocrats. Some were even aristocrats themselves. They often wrote about courtly love and religious devotion.