Meaning

noun a troupe of minstrels

noun ballads sung by minstrels

noun the art of a minstrel

originFrom Middle English minstralcie, from 13th century Anglo-Norman menestralsie, menestralcie, from Old French menestrel (“minstrel”), itself from Medieval Latin ministralis (“servant, jester, singer”), from Late Latin ministerialis (“imperial household officer, one having an official duty”), from the adjective ministerialis (“ministerial, servants”), from Latin ministerium (“service”).

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 3.0