Rudolf von Ems
Rudolf von Ems was a notable poet of the thirteenth century, believed to have been born around 1200, and he is recognized for his literary contributions in Middle High German. He likely served the Counts of Montfort and had connections with King Konrad IV, with evidence suggesting that he passed away shortly after a trip to Italy around 1254. While many of his works have been lost over time, von Ems is celebrated for his intellectual depth and technical mastery in writing. His poetry often aimed to emulate the style of Gottfried von Strassburg, though it carried a more morally instructive tone reminiscent of Hartmann von Aue.
Among his surviving works is "Der gute Gerhart," which tells the story of a morally upright merchant, and "Barlaam und Josaphat," a Latin translation of a tale that parallels the story of the Buddha's conversion to Christianity. His most ambitious pieces include the "Alexanderroman" and "Weltchronik," the latter intended as a comprehensive world history commissioned by King Konrad IV, although it remained unfinished at his death, covering only up to the reign of King Solomon. Rudolf von Ems’s legacy reflects a blend of original subject matter and the cultural currents of his time, making him an important figure in medieval literature.
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Rudolf von Ems
Poet
- Born: c. 1200
- Birthplace: Honenems, Swabia, Germany
- Died: c. 1254
- Place of death: Italy
Biography
Details about the life of thirteenth century poet Rudolf von Ems are scarce. He is believed to have been born around 1200. His writings reveal that at some point he served the Counts of Montfort, and writings by others at the time indicate that his death likely followed a trip to Italy in the company of King Konrad IV around 1254.
Von Ems is considered to be one of the most learned writers of the thirteenth century. He was also one of the most prolific, although many of his works have since been lost. He was also seen as a writer of grace and sincerity, as well as a master of the technical aspects of writing. Von Ems wrote of his desire to emulate Gottfried von Strassburg, and the style of his epic poems did follow von Strassburg’s, although the sometimes morally instructive tone of his poetry more resembled the work of Hartmann von Aue. Von Ems was known to quote directly from Strassburg’s Tristan.
Von Ems’s works are known for their originality of subject. The earliest of his extant poems, Der gute Gerhart (Gerhard the good), features a Cologne merchant who is noble in character if not noble in blood. Because of his fine character and good deeds, the merchant is offered the English crown, which he declines.
The poet’s other works included Barlaam und Josaphat, a Latin translation of a Greek version of a story about the conversion of an Indian prince to Christianity. Many believe this work is the somewhat altered story of the Buddha. Von Ems also wrote the historical epics Alexanderroman (romance of Alexander) and Weltchronik (chronicle of the world), which are considered his most ambitious works.
Weltchronik, not yet completed at the time of the poet’s death, was a work commissioned by King Konrad IV; it was planned to be a comprehensive world history, but Von Ems had only finished the story up until King Solomon’s reign when the poet died. Another writer continued the manuscript up to the biblical book of Judges after Von Ems’s death.
Some believe that King Konrad IV commissioned Weltchronik as a means of legitimizing the rule of the Hohenstaufen dynasty. Other details known about the poet are that he lived in the still-existing Hohenems castle near Lake Constance in Bregenz (now Austria) and that he composed at least five epic poems in the approximate period of 1220 to 1254.