What do we call a medieval storyteller or singer who performs poems and songs?

The story behind the answer

The courtly lyric poets of 12th–13th century Occitania (southern France) composed and performed original songs in Old Occitan, often on themes of fin’amor (refined love) and chivalry. Patronized by nobles such as Eleanor of Aquitaine, they helped shape European vernacular poetry and influenced northern French trouvères and German Minnesänger. Their performances could be solo or with instruments like the vielle, spreading a sophisticated art of personal authorship and musical craft.

By contrast, minstrels and jongleurs were typically itinerant entertainers who recited or played works by others and mixed music with acrobatics or storytelling, while bards belong to the Celtic tradition. This distinction—author-composer versus general performer—marks the correct choice.