Walther von Klingen

Walther von Klingen (died 1 March 1284) was a nobleman from the Thurgau area. After the death of his three sons made it impossible for him to establish a dynasty, he became a benefactor of the church. He founded a monastery in Wehr that later moved to Basel and donated generously to several monastic orders. He later became a close associate and supporter of King of Germany Rudolf von Habsburg. Walther reportedly foresaw the election of Rudolf as King in a dream vision. He later spent time at Rudolf's court and lent him a large sum of money, receiving the right to collect imperial taxes from the city of Zurich in return. At the end of his life, Walther lived in Basel, where he and his wife are buried in the Klingental monastery.

Eight of his songs, which belong to the Middle High German Minnesang tradition, has been preserved in the Codex Manesse manuscript. They are conventional canzone songs with typical Minnesang themes like lamentation or courtship.