Tempus Fugit

           From the CODEX MANESSE (or Große Heidelberger Liederhandschrift), highlighting the theme of "Courtly Love". The codex Manesse is actually an anthology of Medieval High German songs known as Minnesang poetry. Written and illustrated between ca.1304-1307 in Zürich for the wealthy merchant Manesse family. Given: In a medieval setting, a princess finds herself sent to a foreign kingdom, destined to wed a man she scarcely knows. Unbeknownst to her, she embodies what I term the "medieval tool of diplomacy" – an essential pawn in sealing agreements, forging unions between kingdoms, or cementing peace treaties. Her fortune would be favorable indeed if the intended groom were a handsome, charismatic prince or a dignified king of noble bearing. Yet, what if fate cast her lot with an aging, portly widowed ruler? Her youth would be squandered in the pursuit of bearing an heir for the king, and she might rue her existence trapped within an unaffectionate union. Then: