Bertran de Born

Bertran de Born (c. 1140–c. 1215) was an Occitan troubadour and feudal lord associated with Hautefort in the Limousin. Active in the late twelfth century, he is best known for composing *sirventes*—satirical and political songs—often focused on warfare, lordship, and the rivalries of his day. His poetry reflects the turbulent politics of Angevin France and the conflicts among powerful nobles. Bertran’s literary afterlife was shaped strongly by Dante Alighieri, who places him in *Inferno* (Canto XXVIII) among sowers of discord, depicting him carrying his severed head. His work remains a key example of the troubadour tradition.