at least the rich ones.
This is Bligger von Steinach, as depicted in the Codex Manesse, the beautifully illustrated songbook of German courtly songs in the middle ages. He was a noble who resided in Neckarsteinach in the 13th century but his fame came from his Minnelieder, his songs of courtly love. If the picture holds true he dictated his works to a clerk rather than stain his own fingers. I took the photo at the Starkenburg above Heppenheim which is today a youth hostel and pictures of the Manesse Handschrift decorate the hallways.
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pictures imperfect blog 