One of the fascinating little bits of mediaeval romance is the tale of Blondel, the minstrel to Richard I. After the King was captured by his enemies, he apparently dropped out of existence. Blondel then set out upon a tour as a wandering minstrel, and while passing a castle where the King happened to be imprisoned, he sang one of the airs which the King knew. The King was thus able to attract the attention of Blondel and make his whereabouts known.