Reinmar von Hagenau

Who is Reinmar von Hagenau?

Reinmar, also known as Reinmar von Hagenau or Reinmar der Alte, was the most important Minnesinger before Walther von der Vogelweide.

Reinmar probably was born in Alsace. He arrived at the court of Duke Leopold V in Vienna around 1190, and he accompanied the duke on the Third Crusade in 1190. He died before 1210.

There are about 80 texts by Reinmar still in existence. There are however doubts about the authenticity of a number of them. They are a high point of the traditional Minnesang, and Reinmar is counted as one of the 12 masters of the Minnesang. His poetry represents the supremely suffering knight who pines for a truly unattainable lady.