Blondel de Nesle

Blondel de Nesle (flourished late 12th century), French minstrel, born in Nesle, Picardy. He was a favorite of King Richard I of England and accompanied him to Palestine on the Third Crusade. According to legend, when Richard, on his homeward journey, was imprisoned by the duke of Austria (December 1192), the minstrel wandered through Germany in disguise, searching for his master. Blondel at last discovered that Richard was a captive in the castle of Dürnstein in Austria when he sang a lay, or ballad, there and heard Richard's voice answering from the dungeon. The minstrel immediately returned to England, where he reported Richard's place of imprisonment, and ransom was procured for the release of the king.