A representative of a mystical-artistic tendency (allegorical-symbolic interpretation of Holy Scripture) which dates back to the earliest times of Christian exegesis, he is the author of a Spiegel des menschlichen Lebens (1437) of 1,550 lines, derived from the Speculum humanae salvationis, which also met with success among lay people, given the taste of the time for the Christian story of Redemption and for symbolism. From 1413 to 1460 he wrote numerous religious poems, most in praise of the Blessed Virgin Mary (to whom is also dedicated the Buch von den Figuren [1441], of 25,370 lines), or sometimes parodies of secular songs. About 120 of these poems are found in the collection by W. Wackernagel, Das deutsche Kirchentlied (II, Leipzig 1864-77, pp. 528-612).
ENRICO DI LAUFENBERG
BIBL.: E. R. Müller, Heinrich V. L., Berlin 1888; A. Jentsch, Regimen sanitatis von Heinrich V. L., Straßburger 1908; L. Denecke, s. V. in Die deutsche Literatur des Mittelalters, Verfasserlexikon, II, cols. 27-35 (with bibliography).