flourished 1190–1210
Middle High German poet.
Apparently a member of the Swabian court, he took part in the crusade of 1197. He is noted for his courtly epics, the Arthurian romances Erec (с 1180–85) and Iwein (с 1200), both based on works by Chrétien de Troyes . Through Erec , Arthurian legend first entered German literature. Der arme Heinrich ("Poor Heinrich"), his finest poem, is a didactic religious epic. He also wrote lyrics and allegorical love poems.