Die Minnesinger in Bildern der Manessischen Handschrift

This is a collection of pictures from the Codex Manesse, which was created in the first half of the 14th century and which is the most famous and most beautiful codex of Middle High German minnesang poetry. Apart from two examples - one as an epigraph and one as a conclusion - the book does not contain any poetry, but reproductions of 24 of the 140 pictures of minnesingers included in the codex. The pictures are ornate and very interesting to look at. Most of them include heraldic symbols and show the poets in action, representing something they were famous for or that features heavily in their songs: Jousting, hunting, singing for a lady etc.
There is an afterword which gives more information about the pictures and the poets as well as show more the history of the Codex Manesse. show less

Selection of portraits from the famous illuminated manuscript

Beautifully coloured plates from the medieval manuscript

Tx: The Minnesinger in Pictures