The Spielmannsdichtung or Spielmannsepik (or -epos) is a proposed genre, now generally deprecated,[1] of Middle High German literature, specifically the lyric poetry (Dichtung) or epic (Epik or Epos) of wandering minstrels (Spielmannen) of the twelfth century.
The term was used to classify several early Middle High German works that predated the Minnesang and the Höfische Epik.
The term remains today only as a convenience for grouping together similarly themed works: Most of these were only written down in the thirteenth century and survive in multiple variations.
They blend history, legend, and fairy tale, but internal evidence points to a learned authorship, probably clerical.
They are generally dated based on references in the text which show that they are not earlier than the middle of the twelfth century.