Literarischer Grundriß zur Geschichte der deutschen Poesie von der ältesten Zeit bis in das 16. Jh

Published in the mid-19th century, this literary compendium represents the exhaustive scholarship of Friedrich-Heinrich von der Hagen, a pivotal figure in the development of German medieval studies. Von der Hagen was instrumental in the Romantic-era rediscovery of Middle High German literature, and this work serves as an essential reference mapping the evolution of German poetic tradition from its earliest origins through the Renaissance.

The volume was designed as a rigorous pedagogical and archival tool, reflecting the methodical precision characteristic of 19th-century philological study. By systematically cataloging texts and authors, von der Hagen aimed to provide a definitive framework for academic inquiry, helping to cement the Nibelungenlied and other epic works as cornerstones of the German national canon. It remains a significant primary reference for scholars interested in the history of Germanic language and literature.