Hartmann von Aue

Hartmann von Aue (härt`män fən ou`ə), c.1170–c.1220, German poet whose name is also spelled von Ouwe. His chivalric romances Erec and Iwain are tales of Arthurian legend. Other works include the religious legend Gregorius; the idyl Der arme Heinrich [poor Henry], upon which Longfellow based his Golden Legend; and lyrics.

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Hartmann von Aue

(born c. 1160—died c. 1210) Middle High German poet. Apparently a member of the Swabian court, he may have taken part in a Crusade. He is noted for his courtly epics, the Arthurian romances Erec (c. 1180–85) and Iwein (c. 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.