page_title: Court of Minstrels
section_title: Foundation
hierarchical_section_title: Court of Minstrels / Foundation
caption_attribution_description: English: Image from Cantigas de Santa Maria of European and Islamic musicians in 13th century playing stringed instruments. Canticle n°120. 13th century. Madrid, San Lorenzo de El Escorial library (MONASTERIO-BIBLIOTECA-COLECCION).
context_page_description: The Court of Minstrels was a court held in Tutbury, Staffordshire, for minstrels from the nearby counties. The court was founded by John of Gaunt, the Duke of Lancaster, who held Tutbury Castle, for the encouragement of the minstrels' art and for their better regulation. A King of the Minstrels governed the court and juries of minstrels adjudicated in disputes and complaints. The court met annually at Tutbury on the Assumption of Mary, 15 August, and the following day held entertainments including the Tutbury bull run. The court was ordered to cease in 1778 but seems to have continued into the early 19th century.
context_section_description: In the 14th century music was an important form of entertainment and minstrels, travelling musicians, occupied a position of some status.  John of Gaunt, who held Tutbury Castle, in 1372 claimed the title of King of Castile, in modern Spain, through his marriage to Constance of Castile.  His royal court at Tutbury encouraged the art of the minstrels, including by bringing some over from Spain, and was a key centre for the musicians.  In the fourth year of the reign of Richard II (c. 1381) John implemented a "King of the Minstrels" to help govern the musicians. There were complaints from the minstrels that the fines levied by the king were too severe and so, shortly afterwards, a Court of Minstrels was founded to levy the fines and handle complaints and disputes within the trade.
caption: A 13th-century depiction of minstrels in Castile
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