Jehan le Cuvelier d'Arras (fl.c. 1240–70) was atrouvère associated with the so-called "school ofArras". He may be the same person as Johannes Cuvellarius fromBapaume, a suburb of Arras, who is mentioned in documents of 1258. He was the respondent in ninejeux partis and judge of six; he also composed sixchansons courtoises. His sixchansons are:
This last one can be approximately dated, since it is dedicated to Wagon Wion, sheriff (échevin) of Arras in 1265 and dead by February 1273. Cuvelier'schansons are predominantlyheptasyllabic, although one (Pour la meillour) isdecasyllabic and there arepentasyllabic lines in the others. All are inbar form with the exception ofAmours est, which is AA'BB'CC'DE. The use ofmotives in thecaudae is typical. Unusual for his place and time he favouredplagal modes, save for theauthenticJ'ai une dame. In the readings of the music forAmours est,Mout me plaisent, andPour la meillour found in theChansonnier Cangé (BnF fr.846), there is evidence ofmodal rhythm.Ligatures inAnuis et desesperance andJolivetés also suggest the "free use" of modal rhythm.
Jehan de Grieviler debated Cuvelier inCuvelier, un jugement and inCuvelier, j'ain mieus que moiGamart de Vilers addressed Cuvelier as "sire", an indication of his rank. Cuvelier's most popular debating partner wasJehan Bretel, who initiated sixjuex partis with him:
Bretel and Ferri joined up to propose ajeu with Cuvelier and theTresorier d'Aire:Biaus sire tresorier d'Aire. Cuvelier also judged ajeu parti involvingAdam de la Halle.
