The Spielmannsdichtung or Spielmannsepik (or -epos) is a proposed genre, now generally deprecated, of Middle High German literature, specifically the lyric poetry (Dichtung) or epic (Epik or Epos) of wandering minstrels (Spielmannen) of the twelfth century. The term was used to classify several early Middle High German works that predated the Minnesang and the Höfische Epik. They are considered heroic and adventurous works destined for a popular audience and were long attributed to wandering minstrels, though this view has been abandoned, since the minstrels were not generally literate. The term remains today only as a convenience for grouping together similarly themed works: