Court poet

Court poet ( court poet ) is the title of a historical courtly office. In addition to the writing of poems for the entertainment of a ruler, his scope ranged from the war herald to the master of ceremonies to court jesters .

The roots of this office lie with the Scandinavian skalds and Germanic bards . In the Anglo-Saxon area they were called Menestriers ( ministrelli ). a. part of opening the battle, or spurring the army on by singing war songs like Roland's Song in the front row.

The French trouvieres and minstrels were responsible for performing poems and chants for the princes during meals.

In Austria, the court poet Nithard Fuchs was identified with the court jester at the court of Frederick of Austria .

In Germany, Johann von Besser (1654–1729) are known as court poets at the Prussian and Saxon courts, followed by Johann Ulrich von König (1688–1744). However, posterity apostrophized these poets as "pathetic rhymers".

In the early modern period, the office of court poet expired, while that of court jester remained for a while. It was replaced by the title of poeta laureatus , which has firmly established itself in Anglo-Saxon as the poet laureate .

literature

• OLB Wolff , "Hofpoet" in: Johann Samuelansch , Johann Gottfried Gruber (ed.): General Encyclopedia of Sciences and Arts: Section 2; Part 9, pp. 319f.