Information AboutMinnesang |
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SOCIAL STATUS In the absence of reliable biographical information, there has been debate about the social status of the Minnesanger. Some clearly belonged to the higher Nobility - the 14th century Codex Manesse includes songs by dukes, counts, kings, and the Emperor Henry VI . Some Minnesänger, as indicated by the title ''Meister'' ("master"), were clearly educated commoners, such as Meister Konrad Von Würzburg . It is thought that many were '' Ministeriales '', that is, members of a class of lower nobility, Vassal s of the great lords. Broadly speaking, the Minnesänger were writing and performing for their own social class at court, and should be thought of as courtiers rather than "professional" hired musicians. Friedrich von Husen, for example, was part of the entourage of Friedrich Barbarossa , and died on crusade. As a reward for his service, Walther Von Der Vogelweide was given a Fief by the Emperor Frederick II . Several of the best known Minnesingers are also noted for their epic poetry, among them Henric Van Veldeke , Wolfram Von Eschenbach and Hartmann Von Aue . HISTORY The earliest texts date from perhaps 1150, and the earliest named Minnesänger are Der Von Kürenberg and Dietmar Von Aist , clearly writing in a native German tradition in the 3rd quarter of the 12th century. This is refereed to as the Danubian tradition. |