Albrecht von Johannsdorf

Albrecht von Johannsdorf, a Middle High German Minnesänger, was a minor nobleman in the service of Bishop Wolfger of Passau. Documents referring to him indicate that his lifespan included the period 1180-1206. He may have known Walther von der Vogelweide, and is believed to have participated in a crusade. His handful of Minnelieder conform outwardly to the pattern in which the man subordinates himself to the woman above him; and he is responsible for the classical formulation of the educative value of Minnedienst: ‘daz ir deste werde sît und dâ bî hôchgemuot’ (daß Euer Wert wächst und zugleich Euer hoher Mut). His poetry reflects a balanced and harmonious personality. His integrity and warmth of heart are most evident in the poems referring to departure for the crusade. He is represented in the anthologies Des Minnesangs Frühling, 38th rev. edn. by H. Moser and H. Tervooren, vol. 1, 1988; and Die mittelhochdeutsche Minnelyrik, ed. G. Schweikle, vol. 1, 1977.