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Jean Bodel

1167 – 1210

Old French poet

TroubadourWriter Poet
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About Jean Bodel

Lived 1167 – 1210 (aged 42–43). Jean Bodel was a French troubadour, writer and poet.

Jean Bodel (c. 1165 – c. 1210), also spelled Jehan Bodel,

Writings Bodel wrote

Like another French miracle play from the same time period, Le Miracle de Théophile, Le Jeu de saint Nicolas contains an invocation to the Devil in an unknown language:

Palas aron ozinomas Baske bano tudan donas Geheamel cla orlay Berec hé pantaras tay

Bodel was the first person of record to classify the legendary themes and literary cycles known to medieval literature into the "Three Matters".

His epic La Chanson de Saisnes ("Song of the Saxons") contains the line: Ne sont que III matières à nul home antandant, De France et de Bretaigne et de Rome la grant.

"There are but three matters for the understanding man: Of France, and of Britain, and of great Rome."

the "Matter of Rome", or retellings of stories from classical antiquity the "Matter of Britain", concerning King Arthur and related topics the "Matter of France", concerning Charlemagne and his paladins

Bodel contracted leprosy in 1202 or 1205, and entered a leprosarium. He then wrote a long farewell, "Les Congés", his most personal and touching work.

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Important facts

Born
1167, Arras
Birth century
Died
1210, Beaurain
Occupation
Troubadour, writer, Poet
Nationality
Also known as
Bodel

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Jean Bodel's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Jean Bodel?

Old French poet

When was Jean Bodel born?

Jean Bodel was born in 1167 in Arras.

When did Jean Bodel die?

Jean Bodel died in 1210 in Beaurain.

What was Jean Bodel's occupation?

Jean Bodel was a troubadour, writer and poet.

What nationality was Jean Bodel?

Jean Bodel was French.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Jean Bodel

· Wikidata: Q5172

· DBpedia: Jean Bodel

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Jean Bodel. https://biography.guide/jean-bodel/

MLA: "Jean Bodel." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/jean-bodel/.

Chicago: "Jean Bodel." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/jean-bodel/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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