Jenaer Liederhandschrift

It is currently held in the Thuringian University and State Library [de], Jena, with the shelf-mark Ms. El.

A further fragment, consisting of a single sheet, is in the Study Library [de] in Dillingen, Bavaria (XV Fragm.

[1] The manuscript comprises 133 (of an original 154) folios[2] and contains collections of lyrics by 31 named poets, along with an anonymous religious song (a Leich), and the text of the Wartburgkrieg ("The song-contest at the Wartburg").

[1] The quality of the manuscript is exceptional: The unusual size of the manuscript, 56 by 41 cm, the outstanding quality of the parchment, the careful, almost monumental execution of the penmanship in both text and music suggest an aristocratic patron who wished to own a song collection with melodies in a luxurious edition.

"[4] For these reasons, it seems likely that the manuscript was commissioned for display (or possibly as a gift) rather than for use in musical performance.