In 1367, the University of Heidelberg was founded in Heidelberg, Germany, becoming the first university in the region. This institution played a crucial role in the development of higher education in Europe, promoting the study of humanities and sciences. Its establishment marked a significant shift in intellectual culture, influencing the way knowledge was disseminated and pursued in the medieval period.

The University of Heidelberg fostered a vibrant intellectual community that contributed to the literary culture of the time. Notable poets and writers, such as Johannes von Tepl, were influenced by the academic environment, leading to the emergence of new literary forms and ideas. The university's emphasis on humanism would later resonate in the works of Renaissance poets.