minnesingers

Minnesingers were a group of lyric poets and singers in German-speaking lands, active during the High Middle Ages, approximately from the 12th century to the late 15th century. The term "Minnesang" itself refers to their art and means "love-song" in Middle High German. Their primary themes revolved around courtly love, often depicting the idealized devotion of a knight to a noble lady, frequently one who was married and of higher social standing.

These poets were often of noble birth, though some came from more modest backgrounds. They were educated and skilled in music and poetry, and their performances were an integral part of courtly life, entertaining at feasts and gatherings. Unlike the earlier epic poetry, Minnesang focused on the inner feelings and emotions of the speaker. The poetry often employed sophisticated language, intricate rhyme schemes, and a distinct metaphorical style.

Key figures in Minnesang include Walther von der Vogelweide, Wolfram von Eschenbach, and Hartmann von Aue. Their work provides valuable insights into medieval aristocratic society, its values, and its understanding of love and chivalry. The tradition eventually declined with the rise of the Meistersingers in the late medieval period, who represented a more bourgeois and guild-based form of urban song.