BLONDEL

a confidential servant and ins tractor in music of Ridiard Cceur de Lion of England, about the year 1190. While his master was the prisoner of the Duke of Austria, Blondel went through Palestine and all parts of Germany in search of him. He understood, it is said, that a prisoner of rank was confined in Lowenstein CasUe, and hastened hither. Placing himself under a grated tower, he began to sing one of the French lays which he had formerly composed for Richard. Scarcely had he finished the first stanza, when a voice from the dungeon of the tower responded. Thus he discovered his king, delivered him, and gained the name of the faithfid BUmdel. Gr^trys fine opera^ Richard Coeur de Lion, is founded on this anecdote. 243