Troubadours were an important part of medieval courtly culture, composing and performing poems and songs about chivalry, love, and other topics. While the word "troubadour" is commonly used to refer to these poets, there are other terms that could be used as well. For instance, "minstrel" is a general term that can be used to refer to any type of musical performer, while "jongleur" specifically refers to a French court entertainer. Other synonyms for "troubadour" might include "minnesinger" (a German poet), "philomel" (a nightingale, symbolic of lyrical poetry), or "bard" (an ancient Celtic poet). Each of these terms brings a slightly different cultural or historical context to the idea of the troubadour, underscoring the richness of this longstanding poetic tradition.