Wayne Adam

Wayne Adam
Writer/Poet/Author

Monday, February 26, 2018

2018 Renaissance Love and Romance

Huzzah! Huzzah! Renaissance Magazine's edition of Love and Romance is at your local bookstore, and while your thumbing through the pages, look for my article, A Matter of Courtly Love, about the real  Ulrich von Lichtenstein (who is nothing like Keith Ledger's character in the movie, A Knights Tale).  Hence, I have included an excerpt for your enjoyment.

On the matter of courtly love, one the most obsessive affairs and excessively extravagant exploits were those of one of the middle ages most colorful characters-- Ulrich von Lichtenstein.
Born in Styria, Ulrich was a celebrated poet and jousting fanatic. Later in life, he lived a distinguished life as a lord, knight, and diplomat in his native Styria.
In 1255, Ulrich wrote his autobiography, Frauendienst-Lady’s Service. Written as a narrative poem it tells of his adventures attributed to his love for ladies;

“I’ll give my body, all my mind
and life itself to womankind
and serve them all the best I can.
And when I grow to be a man
I’ll always be their loyal thane:
though I succeed or serve in vain
I’ll not despair and never part
from them,” thus spoke my childish heart...


Whoever spoke of women’s praise
I followed, just to hear each phrase,
for it would make my heart so light
and fill me with true delight.
I heard from many a learned tongue
their excellence and honor sung;
they praised one here and praised one there,
they praised the ladies everywhere.”


May you have a blessed day,

Wayne the Bard