Neidhart von Reuental

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Neidhart von Reuental was one of the most famous German minnesingers. He was born in Bavaria and lived in Austria. As a minnesinger he was most active from 1210 to 1240. Neidhart is very well known for being rather sarcastic and comical.

His name Neidhart von Reuental (in Middle High German, Nîthart uon Riuwental) is most likely a pseudonym, for its meaning is more or less Grimhart of Lamentvalley) and his songs thus often stand in harsh contrast to the normal minnesinger topic, courtly or romantic love. This style has been referred to as Höfische Dorfpoesie (courtly village-poetry) by philologist Karl Lachmann and was often imitated by composers called pseudo-Neidharts.

Probably his best-known song is Meienzît (May Time) in which Neidhart starts with describing a peaceful spring scenario but quickly comes to insulting his foes (and several friends and allies that betrayed him).