Walberan (ca. 1250)
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Heroic Epic
Walberan (ca. 1250)
Jänicke, O.(ed.): Deutsches Heldenbuch I. Berlin 1866. Reprint Berlin 1966.
Walb-1:
Sintram, not knowing the whereabouts of Laurin, sends messages to the dwarves in the other mountain. One message is for the dwarf Alberich in Lamparten who sends a message to a mountain in Armenia where Laurin’s uncle Walberan lives. He is king over Sinai, the Tabor Mountains in Judea, Caucasus Lebanon. Walberan plans to set Laurin free. He sends messengers to all mountains. After four weeks, 100,000 men form an army. One captain rules over thousand men.
Motif References:
P 14.15.2 Court messenger
P 551 Army
Walb-176:
Nibelung’s invisible army and his men enter all boats and throw the people overboard. They take 15 boats and hundred galleys. Polias advises to inquire about Laurin first and then challenge Dietrich and his warriors to battle outside Bern.
Motif References:
D 1980 Magic invisibility
Walb-226:
Walberan and the army travel for three weeks and reach Venice on a Monday morning. The messenger Schiltung reaches Bern after seven days. He is brought before Dietrich. He is dressed in a red garment and has twelve dwarves as retinue. They send for Laurin who recognizes the dwarves as Walberan’s men. Schiltung gives Laurin his message and the declaration of war. Dietrich asks in what way he has offended Walberan knowing that he is helpless against an invisible army.
Motif References:
P 550.1.3 (Tu) Declaration of war
P 557.0.2 (Li) Spy. Messenger
F 873 Extraordinary army
Walb-386:
Dietrich answers the messenger that they will defend themselves. Laurin gives a message to his uncle, informing him that he has become Dietrich’s friend meanwhile and that he begs him not to destroy the country. Walberan receives the message and decides to march to Bern in peace. Meanwhile, Dietrich summons allies. When the army arrives, they build up the camp outside Bern, the people remain invisible.
Motif References:
P 550 Military affairs
P 557.0.3 (Li) Military aid (alliance)
F 873.2 Enormous army (camp)[train]
Walb-445:
Only Dietrich, Hildebrand Witege and Wolfhart are able to see the army because of their magic rings. They take position in the fortress’s entrance. Dietrich asks Laurin’s advice how Walberan and his army are to be defeated. Laurin is convinced that it is impossible to defeat them but offers to negotiate reconciliation. Dietrich agrees, has him preciously clothed and takes twelve men as retinue.
Motif References:
F 235.6 Fairies [dwarfs] visible through magic ring
P 557.0.2 (Li) Spy. Messenger
P 557.0.1 (Li) Council of war
D 1825.3 Magic power to see invisible creatures
Walb-611:
Walberan welcomes Laurin and accommodates him with everything possible. Laurin informs Walberan about his oath of loyalty and friendship to Dietrich and tries to persuade Walberan to follow his example. Walberan demands time for reflection and has Laurin stay until morning. Meanwhile they shall have a truce. A messenger informs Dietrich. On the third morning, Laurin returns to Bern and announces a tournament for Sunday.
Motif References:
P 324.1 Host treats guest with food and everything possible
P 558 (Bm) Truce
P 561 Tournaments
N 738 Accidental meeting of nephew and uncle
Walb-744:
Wolfhart is eager to fight the first combat. Hildebrand pleads for modesty. Walberan’s magic weapons are hardened in salamander’s blood. A salamander lives in Armenia in a river called Trimonin. One can only kill it by smearing its own blood on the weapons. All his weapons are green as salamanders are, shining as emerald. He owns an unbreakable net made of Arabian gold hardened in Salamander’s blood. The breastplate inlaid with sun, moon and stars is crafted in Caucasus, little bells tinkle on the stars.
Motif References:
B 99.1 Mythical salamander
F 824 Extraordinary [part of] armor
D 1080 Magic weapons
D 1196 Magic net
D 1382.13 Blood of salamander protects against fire [injuries]
Walb-820:
Walberan’s golden helmet is ornate with jewels and hardened in Salamander’s blood. The crown on the helmet is shinier than a mirror. The jewels at the crown form a ring. In front is the sun opposite the moon, the ring is revolving according to the sun’s, moon’s and planet’s position. The jewels on the side represent the stars. The sun is a carbuncle, the moon a ruby. The crown shines like daylight. His shield is emblazoned with sun and moon, his sword is made in India, its blade hardened in salamander’s blood.
Motif References:
F 824.2 Extraordinarily painted shield
F 828 Extraordinary crown
D 1601.3 Magic hat [helmet] works independently
Walb-882:
His horse bred in Spain is covered by a plaid with sun and moon and little bells jingle when it jumps. They bring a golden “lautermann”. His stirrups are sculpted like lion paws. Walberan appears with a violet banner with stars. People watching on the battlements believe that Walberan and his men are angels. Dietrich and his men meet them carrying a banner with a golden lion. They meet at the door Wolfhart is the first combatant. He starts a fist fight with Schiltung, who beats him to the ground. Schiltung demands that he get up and they continue with sword. Wolfhart cuts Schiltung’s shield in pieces, but Schiltung throws away his sword, starts wrestling and defeats Wolfhart. He takes him to Walberan as prisoner.
Motif References:
P 91 (Li) Heraldic figures and symbols – coat-of-arms
P 555 Defeat in battle [single combat]
Walb-1048:
Dietrich angrily wants to take revenge, but Laurin warns him to fight Walberan. Dietrich and Walberan demand their spears. Walberan throws Dietrich to ground, but the hero jumps up immediately. Walberan dismounts and they fight furiously. Walberan attacks Dietrich, who has to retreat. Hildebrand asks Laurin for advice. Laurin suggests separating them. Hildebrand and Laurin walk to the battlefield. Laurin pleads him to let Dietrich go. Then they swear an oath of friendship.
Motif References:
M 100.0.1 (Li) Oath of allegiance
P 311.1 Combatants become sworn brethren
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]
Walb-1165:
In a grand feast, Walberan and his eleven men are received in Bern with music and a splendid meal in the hall. Dietrich invites Walberan to stay.
Motif References:
P 634 Feasts
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