ABSTRACT
Rudolf von Ems, a late medieval poets, is known for his religious narrative Barlaam und Josaphat, his Alexanderroman, his courtly romance Willhelm von Orlens, and his massive world chronicle Weltchronik. Rudolf was a contemporary of Konrad who had composed a Middle High German version of the famous pan-European Flore und Blanscheflur and whom he mentions in his Willhelm von Orlens as having already passed away. To gain a better grip on the romance and the poet's background, this chapter discusses the specifics of the manuscript tradition, then turn to the historical events upon which the romance appears to be based in general terms. And only then pay full attention to the theme of toleration, if not tolerance, as it evolves in Der guote Gêrhart, a most remarkable literary example where a medieval Christian protagonist strikes a close friendship with a Muslim ruler. And never cares about their religious differences because both men share the same ethical values and cultural ideals.
