Medieval poets are a broad category of authors who wrote in Europe between the V and IV th centuries. They represented one of the few sources of writing at a time when literacy was limited and most people were illiterate.

Among the best-known medieval poets were the troubadours and troubadour writers of southern France, the Minnesänger of the Holy Roman Empire and the Trouvères of northern France. These authors wrote lyric poetry on various themes, such as courtly love, religion, war and politics.

Other important medieval poets include Dante Alighieri, author of The Divine Comedy, Geoffrey Chaucer, author of The Canterbury Tales, and the mystic poetess Hadewijch. Medieval poetry ranged from short and simple lyrical forms such as the ballad, to the complexity and length of the epic, such as La Chanson de Roland.

In general, medieval poets dealt with spiritual and ideal themes, but at the same time represented the imagery and culture of their time, telling stories of adventures and impossible loves, often passing on popular legends and myths.