Karl und Elegast (Karlmeinet, Teil 4 – 1320/40)
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Chansons de Geste
Karl und Elegast (Karlmeinet, Teil 4 – 1320/40)
von Keller, A. (ed.): Karl Meinet. (=StLV 45) Stuttgart 1858. Reprint 1971.
KM4-1:
373, 62: Karl returns from Galicia to Ingelheim.
Motif References:
KM4-2:
374, 3: One day before court, an angel’s voice tells Karl on God’s order three times in his sleep to steal during that very night. If he objects, he will die.
Motif References:
Z 71.1 Formulistic number: three
A 165.2.3 Angels as God’s messengers
A 182.3 God (angel) speaks to mortal
V 550 (Bm) Voice from heaven
H 927.2 Task assigned by angel on God’s order
F 966 Voices from heaven (or from the air)
H 1151 Theft as a task
KM4-3:
375, 43: Karl gets dressed and armed and follows the angel’s order after many doubts. He leaves the castle (the gates’ locks open for him), saddles and bridles his horse. Karl eaves Ingelheim, passing by the sleeping guardians.
Motif References:
P 15 Adventures of kings
KM4-4:
376, 35: Karl comes into a forest. He laments that he once drove Elegast and his kin and friends out of the country and expropriated them because of small misdeeds. So Elegast became a master thief, but only steals from the rich. Karl wants to meet him that night.
Motif References:
W 35 Justice
P 50 Noblemen (knights) [rules of chivalry]
K 301 Master thief
Q 431 Punishment: banishment (exile)
P 475 Robber [thief, outlaw, pirate]
Q 494 Loss of social position as punishment
KM4-5:
377: Karl prays to God for help.
Motif References:
V 50 Prayer
KM4-6:
377, 47: At that moment, a black knight on a black horse approaches. Karl first thinks that he is the devil and begs God to save him.
Motif References:
F 527.5 Black man [knight; wild woman]
N 760 Other accidental encounters
KM4-7:
378, 31: Without greeting, the two suspiciously eye each other. Elegast, the black knight, asks Karl about his identity and intentions. Karl challenges him to single combat. He covers his shield so not to be recognized.
Motif References:
P 556.0.1 (Bm) Challenge to single combat [feud]
KM4-8:
379, 27: Single combat between Karl and Elegast. Elegast’s blows are so strong that his sword breaks. Karl spares his life.
Motif References:
P 550.2 (Li) Single combat
P 555 Defeat in battle [single combat]
KM4-9:
380, 28: The black knight reveals his identity; He is Elegast, who was once banished and expropriated by Karl and now has to live on stealing. But he steals only from the rich.
Motif References:
W 35 Justice
Q 431 Punishment: banishment (exile)
Q 494 Loss of social position as punishment
KM4-10:
381, 53: Karl introduces himself as master thief Albrecht (who steals from anyone) and proposes to work together with Elegast – he wants to steal from Karl’s treasury, which Elegast strictly refuses for reasons of loyalty towards Karl. He suggests stealing from Eckerich zo Ecgermunde, who is married to Karl’s sister. He is a villain and has treacherous intentions towards Karl.
Motif References:
W 34 Loyalty
K 1812 King in disguise
K 1831.0.1 Disguise by changing name
KM4-11:
384, 11: Eckerich’s castle is the most beautiful on the Rhine. Elegast breaks a hole in the wall; Karl uses a plowshare as crowbar, pretending to have lost his own crowbar. Karl waits outside to receive the booty, Elegast enters the castle.
Motif References:
K 310 Means of entering house or treasury
J 830 Adaptability (to overpowering force)
F 887 Extraordinary implements
KM4-12:
385, 13: After eating a herb that makes him understand the language of dogs and cocks, Elegast overhears a conversation between a dog and a cock who say that the king, Karl, is outside the castle. Karl makes fun of his gullibility, so Elegast forces the herb into his mouth to prove what he said.
Motif References:
B 217.2 Animal languages learned from eating plant
N 451 Secrets overheard from animal (demon) conversation
D 978 Magic herbs
D 1301 Magic object teaches animal languages
D 1739 Acquisition of magic power – miscellaneous
D 1815.2 Magic knowledge of language of animals
KM4-13:
385, 63: Elegast steals back the herb from Karl’s mouth without Karl realizing it.
Motif References:
F 676 Skillful thief
KM4-14:
386, 17: Elegast locks the doors and steals as much as he can from the treasury. When he also tries to take Eckerich’s precious saddlery, which is decorated with many little bells, the bells’ ringing wakes up Eckerich and his wife.
Motif References:
F 868 Extraordinary saddle
KM4-15:
387, 3: Elegast overhears the conversation between Eckerich and his wife: On her inquiries about what worries him so much that it keeps him from sleeping and eating, Eckerich reveals that he and some other knights intend to kill Karl the following day.
Motif References:
N 455 Overheard (human) conversation
N 610 Accidental discovery of crime
K 2211.1 Treacherous brother-in-law
K 2370 Miscellaneous deceptions
KM4-16:
387, 24: As his wife objects and stays loyal to her brother, Eckerich slaps her so that blood-streams down her face. Elegast catches a few drops of blood with his right glove.
Motif References:
W 34 Loyalty
S 62 Cruel husband
P 253 Sister and brother
KM4-17:
387, 45: Elegast puts Eckerich and his wife to sleep by a spell and leaves with saddlery and sword and returns to Karl.
Motif References:
K 331.2 Owner put to sleep and goods stolen
D 1273 Magic formula (charm)
D 1364.22 Sleep-charm
D 1962 Means of inducing magic sleep
KM4-18:
387, 61: Elegast tells Albrecht /Karl about the planned conspiracy: Eckerich has sworn to kill him. Now Karl knows God’s intentions for sending him out to steal; he thanks Christ. Elegast wants to kill Eckerich to avenge Karl – Karl tests Elegast’s loyalty by telling him that there is no sense in avenging the king – they would die, whereas the king’s death would have no influence on them. Elegast shows great loyalty to his king, so Karl decides to rehabilitate him after his return.
Motif References:
W 34 Loyalty
J 225 Choice: apparent injustice over greater wrong
N 440 Valuable secrets learned
N 610 Accidental discovery of crime
H 1556 Tests of fidelity [loyalty]
K 2211.1 Treacherous brother-in-law
K 2370 Miscellaneous deceptions
K 2380 (Hi) Detection of treachery or deceit
KM4-19:
389, 5: Albrecht/Karl suggests that Elegast informs the king, Karl, about the conspiracy. As Elegast refuses because he has stolen too much from Karl, Karl/Albrecht offers to go himself. Elegast returns to his followers, Karl to Ingelheim.
Motif References:
KM4-20:
390, 24: Eckerich’s followers arrive. When their armor which they wear underneath their clothes and knives which they hide are detected, they are put into a dungeon. Eckerich himself and his men are trapped in a room at the moment they want to enter.
Motif References:
R 4 Surprise capture
K 2380 (Hi) Detection of treachery or deceit
KM4-21:
390, 53: As Eckerich denies his intentions of conspiracy, Karl sends for Elegast, who has returned to the woods and has him told that he is rehabilitated if he comes to court to fight Eckerich.
Motif References:
K 2370 Miscellaneous deceptions
KM4-22:
391, 29: Elegast testifies against Eckerich: he overheard a conversation between Eckerich and his wife, Karl’s sister, during which Eckerich revealed the plan of conspiracy against Karl and cruelly slapped her. Elegast caught her blood with his right glove, which he shows the court. Elegast offers single combat as ordeal: Eckerich accepts.
Motif References:
S 62 Cruel husband
H 114 Identification by glove
N 455 Overheard (human) conversation
P 556.0.1 (Bm) Challenge to single combat [feud]
N 610 Accidental discovery of crime
K 2211.1 Treacherous brother-in-law
K 2370 Miscellaneous deceptions
KM4-23:
392, 44: Single combat shall take place after the ninth hour. Karl prays for a just outcome. He promises Elegast to marry him to his sister if he defeats Eckerich.
Motif References:
KM4-24:
392, 59: The circle where the single combat is to take place is demarcated with ropes.
Motif References:
P 557.4 Customs concerning single combat
KM4-25:
392, 61: Around the hour of vespers, Elegast enters the circle and prays to God and the Virgin Mary for forgiveness of his sins and support in single combat. He promises to give up stealing if he survives. He gets armed.
Motif References:
V 50 Prayer
M 185 Vow to abide by laws [decree]
KM4-25:
393, 31: Furious and long single combat between Elegast and Eckerich. Elegast finally cuts off Eckerich’s head with a single sword-blow.
Motif References:
H 218 Trial by combat
P 550.2 (Li) Single combat
P 555 Defeat in battle [single combat]
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]
KM4-26:
394, 39: Eckerich’s corpse is dragged and hanged; his followers are hanged as well. Elegast is married to Eckerich’s widow, Karl’s sister.
Motif References:
Q 236 Punishment for deceiving (divine) emperor
Q 261 Treachery punished
Q 413.8 Hanging as punishment for treachery
Q 491 Indignity to corpse as punishment
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