Blondel de Nesle

Blondel de Nesle (blŭnˈdəl də nĕl, Fr. blôNdĕlˈ də nĕl) [key], fl. late 12th cent., French troubadour, a favorite of Richard I of England. Legend relates that after Richard was captured and imprisoned by Leopold V of Austria in 1193, Blondel wandered through Germany, singing a song known only to him and his lost master, until Richard answered from his prison. Blondel was then able to tell the English where Richard was held captive.

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