Heinrich von Veldeke
Heinrich von Veldeke was a notable German medieval poet, active in the late twelfth century, likely between 1145 and 1190, near Veldeke in Belgian Limburg. He is recognized as a minnesinger, composing lyrical poetry in both High German and the Limburg dialect. His most significant works include a life of St. Serveatius, the patron saint of Maastricht, and a poem known as the *Eneit*, which is considered the first German courtly romance and draws from Virgil's *Aeneid*. Heinrich's influence on German literature during the High Middle Ages is acknowledged, notably referenced by later authors such as Gottfried von Strasburg.
His poetry, characterized by humor and wit, contrasts with the serious tone of his religious narratives. His works survive in several medieval manuscripts, although none of the original melodies for his songs exist today. Scholars suggest that Heinrich likely belonged to minor nobility, with connections to various noble courts, where he performed his verses. Despite his early death before 1210, Heinrich von Veldeke's contributions to literature have earned him a lasting legacy in the study of medieval German poetry.
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Heinrich von Veldeke
Writer
- Born: c. 1145
- Birthplace: Near Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Died: c. 1190
Biography
The life of German medieval minnesinger Heinrich von Veldeke, who wrote troubadour poetry in High German and the Limburg dialect, is obscure. What scholars do know about him has been extrapolated from his works. From his name, textual references, and dialect, he likely lived during the late twelfth century, probably between 1145 and 1190, near the village of Veldeke in Belgian Limburg. Two extant works are attributed to Heinrich: a life of the patron saint of Maastricht, St. Serveatius, and a poem based on Virgil’s Aeneid. Heinrich is described in Gottfried von Strasburg’s Tristan und Isolde (c. 1210) as a significant influence on the development of German literature during High Middle Ages. His Eneit, based primarily on a French translation of Virgil’s Aeneid and a few miscellaneous Latin sources, is considered the first German courtly romance.
Heinrich’s works appear in several extant manuscript sources. His songs appear in the Small Heidelberg Song Manuscript, the Manesse or Large Heidelberg Song Manuscript, and the Weingarten Song Manuscript. His Servatius-Legende, composed in two parts, likely dated 1165 and 1175 respectively, is found in a fifteenth century copy held by the University of Leiden. His version of the Aeneid, likely dating to 1185, appears in three sources from three centuries—thirteenth and fourteenth century versions, both on parchment, and a paper version from the fifteenth century known as the Gotha manuscript. The latter is written in the Thuringian dialect, which is believed to be original. None of the melodies for Heinrich’s troubadour verse are extant.
From his works, scholars gather that Heinrich’s family was minor nobility who held their fief from the abbey of Sankt Truiden, subject to the counts of Loon. Heinrich likely composed his first verses for performance and to accompany dances at the court of Count Ludwig of Loon, and later wrote for the courts of Countess Margareta of Cleve and Count Palatine Hermann of Saxony. The narrative of the life of Serviatus was likely commissioned by Countess Agnes of Loon, along with the Sacristan Hessel of the Maastricht Cathedral.
Heinrich’s troubadour verses are lively, full of humor and wit, but his narrative of Serviatus takes a serious and highly pious tone. The Servatius-Legende is meandering in places, and some scholars believe these tangents may have been added by later scribes. Scholarly consensus is that although Heinrich took the religious commission seriously and the piety reflected therein is sincere, his personal disposition is better represented by his lyrics.
Although the date of Heinrich’s death cannot be precisely established, it is known he died young and before 1210, the year Wolfram von Eschenbach wrote his Parzival, in which he laments the Heinrich’s early death.