Machaut, Guillaume de

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Guillaume de Machaut, detail of a miniature from Oeuvres de Guillaume de Machaut, …—Courtesy of the Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris

(born c. 1300, Machault, France—died 1377, Reims) French poet and composer. After possibly receiving a university education and taking holy orders, he traveled throughout Europe as secretary to the king of Bohemia. He was appointed canon of Reims cathedral in 1337. After the king's death, Machaut was supported by several royal patrons, including the duke de Berry, and King Charles V. Beside 14 narrative poems incorporating short lyrics, he wrote more than 400 separate lyric poems. He wrote dozens of musical compositions in each of the genres of formes fixes. He also composed the first complete setting of the mass for four voices, and he was the outstanding figure of the Ars Nova. His poetry is noted chiefly for its technical innovations. Geoffrey Chaucer's Book of the Duchesse shows the influence of Machaut.

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