A translation into English by A. S. Kline Illustrated with works from The Flower Book by Sir Edward Burne-Jones (English, 1833 – 1898). ‘Parzival’ is dated, from internal and circumstantial evidence, to the first decade of the 13th century. The work is written in the East Franconian dialect of Middle High German. Its author Wolfram von Eschenbach was a contemporary of Gottfried von Strassburg, creator of the epic ‘Tristan’. Wolfram was Bavarian, and Hermann I of Thuringia appears to have been a major patron. ‘Parzival’ is an extensive development of Chrétien de Troyes’ unfinished ‘Perceval’, the first extant version of the Grail theme, though Wolfram, perhaps mischievously, claims an unknown poet, named Kyot, from Provence, as his source. ‘Parzival’ is a fine and representative work from the richest period of Medieval German poetry which, as well as ‘Tristan’, includes the courtly love-lyrics of the Minnesingers. About the Author Wolfram von Eschenbach, born around 1160/80 and deceased around 1220, was a distinguished German knight, poet, and composer. He is celebrated as one of the medieval era’s greatest epic poets in German literature and was also a Minnesinger, known for his lyric poetry. Much of Eschenbach’s life is shrouded in mystery, with no historical documents mentioning him directly. His works, particularly Parzival, provide the only insight into his life. These suggest he originated from Bavaria, based on dialectical evidence and geographical references. Eschenbach’s association with Bavaria is primarily derived from his mention of “we Bavarians” in his works and the East Franconian dialect he used. The modern-day Wolframs-Eschenbach in Bavaria is often considered his birthplace, although this is not definitively proven. Eschenbach claimed illiteracy in Parzival, a statement met with scepticism by some scholars. However, many believe this claim, noting that his poems were likely written down from dictation. His extensive yet somewhat imprecise knowledge and imperfect grasp of French also suggest a lack of formal education. Eschenbach’s Parzival is a seminal work in German Arthurian romances, notable for its treatment of the Holy Grail. He expressed disdain for Chrétien de Troyes’ unfinished version of the tale, claiming his source was one Kyot, a poet from Provençe. Other notable works include the fragmentary Titurel and the unfinished Willehalm. His lyric poems, particularly his dawn-songs, are highly regarded within the Minnesang tradition. Eschenbach’s contributions to medieval literature were widely recognized, with Parzival and Willehalm surviving in numerous manuscripts, signifying their immense popularity. His works continued to influence later art and literature, including Richard Wagner’s opera Parsifal.
