The late period of Meistergesang. Continuity and alteration of a genre tradition from a literary sociological perspective

• Applicant: Dr. Eva Rothenberger
• Subject Area: German Medieval Studies (Medieval German Literature)
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 568749984

Although Meistergesang has increasingly been focused on in recent years, the diverse formal and thematic upheavals of the genre — around 1520 and during the 17th century —have not yet been sufficiently systematically examined with regard to their performative, literary sociological, and reception-aesthetic impact. The network aims to address this task from an interdisciplinary perspective. The focus is on an approach that places the genre within the performance culture of the late medieval city on the threshold of the modern era: 'City' is to be understood as a central literary sociological microcosm, within whose coordinates of urban politics, social structure, and piety the Meistergesang fits specifically. The focus on the urban space in which the genre is anchored will be able to highlight the function of the Meistergesang for the upheaval between the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period more comprehensively and precisely than before. Central aspects are, for example, the literarization of laymen from various urban social classes, the location of the Meistergesang in urban performance culture beyond genre boundaries, as well as the interrelationship with other societies organized within the city (e.g., the Rederijkers or the Puy in Rouen) and with other expressions of urban life (e.g., processions, spiritual plays). A perspective that goes beyond a genre-specific approach and places the Meisterlied within the religious-political upheaval around 1500 also promises a deeper understanding of the threshold to the Early Modern period itself. Furthermore, the perspective will be expanded to include the reception of the genre up to the early 19th century in order to fully grasp the history of the genre and complement the broader research on Sangspruch. At the end of the project the scientific outcome will be published in an anthology.

• DFG Programme: Scientific Networks
• Co-Investigator: Dr. Judith Lange