ABSTRACT
The greatest French poet and composer of the 14th century. Machaut.s narrative dits set a style in poetry that would predominate in France and England through the 15th century; his lyrics, many set to music, established and popularized the formes fixes; his Messe de Nostre Dame is the earliest surviving polyphonic setting of all movements of the Mass Ordinary by one composer; his strong interest in manuscript production made him a prime force in creating an awareness of the artist as a professional figure.
