Cancioneiro da Vaticana
Quick Summary
The Cancioneiro da Vaticana is one of three major manuscript songbooks that preserve Portuguese-Galician poetry from the 12th to 14th centuries. These collections, along with the Cancioneiro da Ajuda and the Cancioneiro de Colocci-Brancuti, contain approximately 2,000 poems.1
The poems are categorized into three main types:
* Cantigas de amigo: Laments from a woman's perspective about her lover, often featuring nature descriptions and a characteristic melancholy tone known as saudade.1
* Cantigas de amor: Similar to cantigas de amigo, but the pining lover is a man.1
* Cantigas de escárnio e maldizer: Satirical and ribald songs commenting on contemporary themes.1
Occasionally, these collections also include religious songs praising the Virgin Mary. The lyrics are attributed to around 200 poets, including King Dinis of Portugal.1
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