Hans Sachs lived at the intersection of two pivotal centuries, born at the close of the 15th century and living until 1576. His life spanned significant cultural and religious transformations, which he both witnessed and contributed to through his work. An accomplished shoemaker and prolific writer, Sachs’ legacy is enriched by his role in the Reformation and his enduring literary contributions.

Early Education and Wanderjahre

Born into a tailor's family, Hans Sachs began his formal education at seven in one of Nuremberg's Latin schools. Under the guidance of Herr Friedel, he learned the fundamentals of grammar, rhetoric, and singing, alongside some Latin studies. This schooling lasted eight years, the entirety of Sachs' formal education. At seventeen, he embarked on his Wanderjahre, a traditional journey for young apprentices to gain experience in their trade. His travels first took him to Regensburg, followed by a route down the Inn River through Passau, Braunau, Ried, and Wells, eventually reaching Salzburg. During these travels, Sachs not only honed his skills as a cobbler but also developed a keen interest in literature and the diverse lives of the people he encountered. His first surviving literary work, a Buhlscheidlied (or love poem), penned in 1513, poignantly captures the heartache of separation from a beloved.

Literary Influences and Return to Nuremberg

Amidst his travels, Sachs encountered an influential piece of literature: the Augsburg edition of Heinrich Steinhöwel's translation of Giovanni Boccaccio’s Decameron. This exposure to classical narratives fueled his creative aspirations. In 1514, Sachs resumed his journey, visiting cities such as Munich, Würzburg, Frankfurt am Main, Koblenz, Cologne, and Leipzig. After five years away, he returned to Nuremberg in 1516, where he dedicated himself to shoemaking and writing, with the latter always paramount in his mind. Marrying Kunigunde Kreuzer in 1519, Sachs fathered seven children with her, balancing his familial responsibilities with his dual vocations.

The Reformation and Sachs’ Role

During this period, Martin Luther emerged as a pivotal figure in religious reform, advocating for justification by faith alone. Luther's challenge to the church's traditional authority and rituals resonated with many, including Sachs. Inspired by Luther’s teachings, Sachs became a fervent supporter and actively contributed to the spread of Reformation ideas through his writing. His works served as a conduit for the new religious ideals, significantly influencing his fellow Nurembergers to embrace the Reformation’s tenets.

Personal Trials and Later Life

Sachs' writings from his youth through middle age reflect a life of humor, peace, and fulfillment. However, his later years were marred by personal tragedies. He endured the loss of all seven of his children and, in 1560, the death of his wife Kunigunde. That year, Nuremberg suffered a devastating epidemic that claimed over ten thousand lives. Despite these hardships, Sachs found personal solace and companionship with his second wife, Barbara Harscherin, whom he married at the age of sixty-eight. Despite their age difference, with Barbara being twenty-seven, their marriage appeared to be a happy union.

Sachs’ Legacy

Hans Sachs' life is a testament to the possibilities of his era. As a cobbler who became a humanist, poet, and musician, he amassed an impressive library, studied Greek literature and philosophy, and authored over four thousand poems. His ability to adapt to the changing tides of his time, while maintaining personal contentment and health until the age of eighty-two, speaks volumes about both the man and the period in which he lived.