CAUDAIRENCA

Caudairenca, also recorded as Gaudairenca and Caudairenga, was an Occitan trobairitz associated with the troubadour Raimon de Miraval, whose wife she was. Medieval narrative sources describe her as an accomplished poet who knew how to compose coblas and dansas, forms of courtly verse intended for musical performance. She therefore belongs to the earliest documented tradition of women composing secular lyric in medieval Europe.
None of Caudairenca’s poems or music has survived. Knowledge of her artistic activity comes entirely from references in medieval vidas and razos and from mentions in troubadour poetry. Her importance lies in this documentary evidence that she was recognised by her contemporaries as a successful creator of Occitan courtly song.