The Book of the True Tale (Le Livre dou Voir Dit)

Machaut, Guillaume de (c. 1300–1377), translated by Kline, A. S. (contact-email)

Guillaume de Machaut, a pivotal 14th-century French musician-poet, played a key role in the ars nova movement trend and enriched musical forms like the motet, rondel, and ballade. He studied in Reims and served John I of Luxembourg and later the Duc de Berry. He left a lasting legacy on composers and poets like Christine de Pisan and Chaucer. Guillaume de Machaut’s Le Livre dou Voir Dit (“The Book of the True Poem”) narrates an account, possibly autobiographical, of the author’s romantic correspondence with a young woman named Péronne d’Armentières. This work blends poetry and prose, offering a rich tapestry of musical and literary forms. It encapsulates the ideals of courtly love while also providing personal insights into Machaut’s own emotional experiences. The text is notable for its exploration of love’s complexities and the poignancy of human relationships.

Author Details

Guillaume de Machaut, born circa 1300AD near Reims, France, is a major figure in late medieval music, particularly in the “ars nova” style. His diverse roles included serving as secretary to John I, Count of Luxembourg, King of Bohemia, and holding positions as a canon of the Church, in cities including Verdun, Arras, and Reims. His travels across Europe with John I significantly influenced his work.

Machaut’s musical legacy is marked by versatility, and covers motets and secular songs. His “Messe de Nostre Dame” is particularly notable as the earliest complete setting of the Mass by a single composer. His rondeaux “Ma fin est mon commencement” and “Rose, liz, printemps, verdure,” and the virelai “Douce Dame Jolie” demonstrate his skill in melody and structure.

Complementing his musical accomplishments, Machaut was a prolific poet, writing about 400 poems primarily focusing on courtly love, and known for their intricate rhyme schemes. His narrative prose “dits” offer autobiographical, allegorical and philosophical content. His poetry influenced both Geoffrey Chaucer and Eustache Deschamps, who was Machaut’s pupil, and marked his mentor’s death in two notable ballades.

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Kline, A. S.

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