Neidhart von Reuental was one of the most famous German minnesingers. His name is most likely a pseudonym, for its meaning is more or less „Grim-Heart of Lament-Valley”. Neidhart was born in Bavaria, lived in Austria and was most active from 1210 to 1240 which relates to the late period of Minnesong. Neidhart is very well known for being rather sarcastic and comical. His songs often stand in harsh contrast to the normal minnesinger topic, courtly or romantic love. This style has been referred to as courtly village-poetry. Normally Neidhart starts his songs in a classical style. But after a few lines or verses of such a convention, the songs, however, become very individual in sound – songs that are virtuoso and expressive, funny, boastful, erotic, obscene, brutal, complaining, nagging, imploring – most of them with very catchy melodies which, after numerous repetitions of numerous verses, creep into the ear and become haunting tunes.