Reinmar von Hagenau

Reinmar der Alte in the Codex Manesse (14th century).

Reinmar also known as Reinmar von Hagenau (Reinmar of Haguenau) or Reinmar der Alte (Reinmar the Elder) 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 a 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.