Wolfger von Erla

Wolfger von Erla, d. Jan. 23, 1218, came from the family of the masters of Erla near Sankt Pantaleon-Erla. Became a clergyman after the death of his wife, was provost of the monasteries of Pfaffmünster and Zell am See, 1191 bishop of Passau, took part in the first crusade in 1197/98; 1204 Patriarch of Aquileia, 1208 royal legate and deputy of King Philipp south of the Alps. Undertook four journeys in 1203/04; his accounts are still extant and give insight into the conditions of the journey and the financial administration of this period. In his function as bishop he gave Walther von der Vogelweide a fur coat (in 1203); possibly supported the author of the Nibelungenlied. Mediator in the conflict of the Welfs, Hohenstaufens and the Pope; according to Pope Innocent III he spoke "in words of peace and concord".

Literature H. Heger, Das Lebenszeugnis Walthers von der Vogelweide. Die Reiserechnungen des Passauer Bischofs W. v. E., 1970; E. Boshof, W. v. E., 1994.