Medieval German courtly literature knows of many poets whose biographical identity is virtually unknown, which means that we have to concentrate almost exclusively on the poems that have survived in manuscripts and some fleeting self-references. While traditional
Minnesangwas popular between ca. 1170 and ca. 1210, the situation began to change since then with new themes or concepts entering the picture. Walther von der Vogelweide, flourishing during the transitional period, can be regarded as the major representative of that genre whose reputation has never waned until today. Other poets, especially those in the German-speaking area of modern-day Switzerland or southwestern Germany, also made serious attempts to modify the traditional love songs and to inject new aspects, images,…
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Citation: Classen, Albrecht. "Steinmar". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 06 September 2024 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=15282, accessed 05 October 2024.]