Minstrels
Minstrels, or traveling thespians, thrived throughout Europe in medieval times. The term
minstrel referred to a professional entertainer of any kind from the 12th century to the 17th
century. Minstrels were instrumentalist, but were also often jugglers, acrobats, and storytellers.
Although minstrels no longer exist, they played an important role in medieval history and, at one
time, could be found, in one form or another, throughout the entire continent of Europe.
Different countries had different names for minstrels. In Germany, they were called
minnesingers. In France, the…
