La Fama, une parole fondatrice

Abstract

Fama, the Founding Word. - The introduction examines the dual aspect of renown which, in the late Middle Ages, is understood in terms of rumor as well as reputation. Rumor is most often a deformation which feeds on the collective fear of an uninformed opinion. Spreading by clichés, it serves to enlighten the reputation which is ensured by the members of the community — the witnesses — but also by minstrels and poets who detain the magic of the word. The question is to perceive how these judgments relate to the given conditions of the social status acquired by birth. The opposition between nobles and non-nobles becomes essential. In either case, the word is the foundation, but whereas for the nobles it ensures their renown, for the non-nobles, it creates their status.