Abstract
The article focusses on Walther’s verses dedicated to the conflict betweeen Philipp of Schwaben and Otto IV. (both ›Philippstöne‹ and the ›Reichston‹). There is no evidence in the so called ›Hofwechselstrophe‹ (9 III) for Walther changing courts after the death of duke Friedrich of Austria in 1198. This verse might as well signify a change of lyrical topics from mourning to political support of Philipp according to the position of the new duke Leopold VI. So the verses refering to Philipp do not represent Staufen propaganda but can be regarded as parts of courtly communication (Strohschneider) in Vienna and classified more cautiously as ›Staufen friendly‹. The opposition between laity and clergy as a leading motive can be detected not only in the ›Kirchenschelte‹ (›scolding of the clergy‹) of ›Reichston‹ verse II but even in the so far enigmatic verse on frôuwe Bône (›Lady Bean‹, 8 III,1–14). This casts a new light on the lines dedicated to the orphan (›der weise‹) and the crown of the Holy Roman Empire. When postulating that the orphan should be put on Philipp’s head to finish imperial desaster that is caused by poor kings harassing the empire and so called zirkel (›circles‹), he does not refer to inferior forms of crowns but to the clergy allies supporting Otto. In contemporary latin monastic writing ›circle‹ and ›crown‹ are used as metaphors for the tonsure and its surrounding hairline. This fresh sight spares from auxiliary constructions concerning with Walther’s biography, the role of ›Sangspruch‹ in political conflict and to the use of crowns in the Middel Ages.
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