The History of Occitan — The Language Two English Kings Spoke

Occitan, the medieval language of the troubadours, was once so prestigious that European royalty spoke it fluently. Today classified as severely endangered by UNESCO, it's still spoken by an estimated 600,000 to 1.5 million people across southern France, Italy, Spain, and Monaco.

Richard the Lionheart is remembered as one of England's most legendary kings. What most people don't know: his mother tongue wasn't English, and it wasn't French either. It was Occitan — and he didn't just speak it, he composed poetry in it.

The Language of Kings and Troubadours

According to Wikipedia's overview of the Occitan language, Occitan takes its name from "òc," the southern French word for "yes" — distinguishing langue d'òc from the northern langue d'oïl that eventually became modern French. Between the 12th and 14th centuries, Occitan was the literary language of the troubadours, whose songs of courtly love spread its prestige across royal courts throughout Europe.

Eleanor of Aquitaine, one of the most powerful women of the Middle Ages, spoke Occitan as her native tongue. Her sons — including Richard the Lionheart and King John of England — grew up fluent in it, learning it directly from her. Richard was so devoted to the troubadour tradition that he composed his own verses in the language. Even the Italian poet Dante took note of Occitan, referencing it directly and using it for a troubadour character in his Purgatorio.

Silenced by Crusade and Decree

Occitan's golden age did not survive unchallenged. The Albigensian Crusade against the Cathars in the 13th century devastated the region where Occitan flourished, and centuries later, the 1539 Edict of Villers-Cotterêts made French the only official language of the kingdom — pushing Occitan out of law, administration, and eventually education.

UNESCO now classifies Occitan as severely endangered. Yet it never vanished. A 19th-century revival led by the Félibrige literary movement — and Frédéric Mistral's celebrated poem Mirèio — reignited pride in the language, a spirit that continues in classrooms, festivals, and homes across the south of France today.

Soi Occitan — More Than Words

There's a phrase that carries centuries of troubadour pride: Soi occitan — I am Occitan.

It's the language that once made kings compose poetry instead of war orders. It's the sun of Occitània, the sound of langue d'òc still spoken from Toulouse to Nice. Long before French became the language of power, Occitan was the language of love, art, and royal courts alike.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "Soi occitan" mean?
It means "I am Occitan" in the Occitan language.

Did an English king really speak Occitan?
Yes. Richard the Lionheart learned Occitan from his mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and composed troubadour poetry in the language.

Is Occitan endangered today?
Yes. UNESCO classifies Occitan as severely endangered, though it remains spoken by hundreds of thousands of people today.

Wear the Words

A language that once charmed kings and courts deserves more than to be forgotten. Every time you wear it, you help keep it visible.

Explore the full Occitan Pride Collection, part of our wider France Collection, and discover more stories like this one right here on the Journal.