Who was Walther von der Vogelweide?
Q: Who was Walther von der Vogelweide?
A: Walther von der Vogelweide was a famous German poet and composer who lived around 1170-1230. He was the greatest of the German Minnesinger, people who wrote and sang songs about courtly love.
Q: What did Walther add to his name?
A: Walther added "von der Vogelweide" to his name, which means "of the bird meadow".
Q: Where did he learn to sing and write poetry?
A: In a document, Walther wrote that he had learned to sing and write poetry in Austria. The dialect he spoke suggests that he must have come from Bavaria or Austria.
Q: What kind of verses did he write?
A: In addition to courtly love songs, Walther also wrote verses called “Sprüche" ("sayings") about the history of the time as well as a type of love poem which was new in German literature.
Q: How did these Sprüche serve him politically?
A: These Sprüche served as political propaganda and were used in political debates. For example, they helped persuade Emperor Otto IV to go on a crusade which had been forbidden by the pope.
Q: Did Walther ever join Otto IV on this crusade?
A: We do not know whether or not Walther joined Otto IV on this crusade.
Q: What is Unter der Linde?
A: Unter der Linde is one of the most famous poems written by Walther von der Vogelweide; it is a type of love poem which was new in German literature at that time.
