Heinrich von Veldeke was a 12th-century poet from the region of Flanders, known for his contributions to early German literature. He is often recognized as one of the first significant writers in the Middle High German language, blending elements of courtly love and chivalric themes in his works. His most notable work is the epic poem "Eneide," a retelling of Virgil's Aeneid that adapts the story to a medieval context. Heinrich's writing style and narrative techniques influenced later German poets and helped shape the literary landscape of the Middle Ages in Germany.