Der Pleier
Der Pleier was a medieval German author active in the late thirteenth century, likely residing in Austria and Bavaria. Known for his romantic tales related to the legend of King Arthur, he authored three notable Arthurian novels, including *Garel von dem blühenden Tal*, which tells the story of Garel, an Arthurian knight who marries Queen Laudame and triumphs over King Ecunaver. Der Pleier's works were influential during the late Middle Ages, shaping the narratives of later writers like Albrecht von Scharfenberg and Ulrich von Türheim. His writing reflects a commitment to preserving the Arthurian literary tradition, drawing on the frameworks established by earlier authors like Hartmann von Aue and Wolfram von Eschenbach. He focused on enhancing the adventures of well-known knights, ensuring that their exploits were logical and carried social significance. Despite limited biographical information, Der Pleier's narratives highlight customs and manners of his time, illustrating his role in the continuity of German Arthurian literature.
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Subject Terms
Der Pleier
Fiction Writer
- Born: fl. 1250
Biography
Der Pleier was one of several medieval German authors who developed romantic tales about figures associated with the legend of King Arthur. He is believed to have lived in Austria and Bavaria in the late thirteenth century; his family name, which translates as “the Enameler,” is present in records form the city of Salzburg. Der Pleier wrote three Arthurian novels, including Garel von dem blühenden Tal which recounted the exploits of Garel, an Arthurian knight who married Queen Laudame of Anfere and who defeated King Ecunaver of Kanedic. His narratives were very popular in the late Middle Ages. He influenced many writers, such as Albrecht von Scharfenberg, Konrad von Stoffeln and Ulrich von Türheim. His works often emphasize customs and manners.
Almost nothing is known about Der Pleier. However, through scholarly examination of his works, it is evident that Der Pleier wanted to preserve the Arthurian literary tradition established in Germany by earlier writers such as Hartmann von Aue, Ulrich von Zatzikhoven, and Wolfram von Eschenbach. He managed to do this by perpetuating the framework created by his predecessors, which relied on a narrator to present tales as original pieces of lore, to use the well-known cast of knights, and to make references to earlier adventures. Since many of the knights were considered infallible, Der Pleier concentrated on developing the plot of the adventures in order to make them logical and to give the outcome social significance.