Hiltepold of Schwangau - Musician Statues on Waymarking.com

Aside from his songs, not much is known about Sir Hiltepold. His dates of birth and death are estimated as 1192-1260, his songs were published between 1221 and 1251. We know that his family owned Hohenschwangau castle in Bavaria and his songs suggest that he was in the service of Duke Albrecht III of Tyrol. In a number of songs, Hiltepold shares his experiances at the Fifth Crudade (1217–1221).

Following the picture are 23 songs, telling the story of the love of his life. The opus starts with three songs about searching for the perfect lady, followed by six sad songs about her not returning his feelings. Song number ten (the happiest of all his songs) finally has them falling in love. The next six songs are all about the beauty of his beloved lady, but then in song number 17, he is heartbroken again, because he has to follow his duke on the crusade.

The following songs are about his experience on the crusade and his longing and undying love for his lady. However, returning from the crusades, he must find out that his love fell for rumors of his alleged infidelity and left him. In his last songs, he affirms his innocence, but to no avail. The opus ends with two philosophical songs about better to have loved and failed than to have never loved at all.

The city of Hohenschwangau, Bavaria honors its famous son with a statue on a fountain next to the towns visitor's center.