Haags Liederenhandschrift

A unique collection of 165 poems in various German and Dutch dialects, French, and Latin
All of the pieces are in the late medieval tradition of courtly love poetry of the 14th century
In the 15th century, the manuscript was owned by the Count and Countess of Nassau-Siegen

Haags Liederenhandschrift

Cod. 128 E 2 Koninklijke Bibliotheek Den Haag (The Hague, Netherlands)

Description

Haags Liederenhandschrift

The Haags Liederenhandschrift is an important document of late medieval German and Dutch poetry from the 14th century. It comprises a fascinating collection of 165 shorter and longer pieces compiled around 1400, which are entirely in the tradition of contemporary courtly love poetry, such as Minnesang, including works by the poets Walther von der Vogelweide, Frauenlob, Noydekijn, Erentrijk, and Augustijnken van Dordt. Short rhyming riddles and sayings are also occasionally interspersed throughout the manuscript. The note of ownership at the end of the codex is also particularly interesting, stating that sometime after 1440 the manuscript belonged to John IV (1410–1475), Count of Nassau-Siegen, and his wife Maria of Looz-Heinsberg (1424–1502), who together ruled territories in what is now the Netherlands, Germany, and Luxembourg from 1442 to 1475. In this way, the manuscript is also a twofold testimony to the diverse cultural interconnections in the multilingual Holy Roman Empire of the late Middle Ages.

Codicology

Alternative Titles: Haager Liederhandschrift
Hague Song Manuscript
Type: Manuscript on parchment
Size / Format: 134 pages / 25.0 × 18.6 cm
Origin: Netherlands
Date: Ca. 1400
Epochs: Late Middle Ages Onwards
Style: Gothic
Genre: Song Books
Language: Dutch
German
French
Latin
Script: Cursive
Illustrations: 1 gold-decorated ornamental initial with floral extender, countless red lombards, and rubrics throughout
Content: 165 poems in the tradition of late medieval courtly love
Artist / School: Augustijnken van Dordt (poet)
Walther von der Vogelweide (poet)
Noydekin (poet)
Freidank (poet)
Previous Owners: John IV, Count of Nassau-Siegen, and Maria of Looz-Heinsberg
William III of Orange
William IV of Orange
William V of Orange