Hermann Fressant, Der Hellerwertwitz (>1325)
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Maere and Novellas
Hermann Fressant, Der Hellerwertwitz (>1325)
von der Hagen, H.H.: Gesammtabenteuer. Hundert altdeutsche Erzählungen, 3 vols. Stuttgart/Tübingen 1850. Reprint Darmstadt 1961. Vol 2, Nr. 35, p. 219–239.
HFHel-1:
Promythion: The author asks for benevolence for his first poetry. A young merchant has a virtuous wife and two mistresses. When he goes on a journey he asks the three which gifts he should bring. One mistress wishes for a red coat and skirt of Ypern and swears she will fast and pray and wear no shoes until his return. The other mistress hurriedly hides a lover in a box when the merchant arrives but nevertheless swears she will give alms and have masses held in his memory; she asks for a skirt and coat from Gent. The wife gives him a small coin and asks him to bring her a “heller” worth of wit.
Motif References:
L 221 Modest request: present from the journey. Asked what her father shall bring her as a present, the heroine chooses a modest gift. It is usually a flower but sometimes does not turn out to be a such a simple gift at all (golden cloak, golden apple)
HFHel-310:
On his journey via France and Flanders he inquires who can give him or sell him wit. Finally an old man asks him to tell his story and gives him advice. The merchant gives him the small coin and returns.
Motif References:
J 163.1 Man buys a pennyworth of wit
HFHel-443:
The old man’s advice for a heller is as follows: When he returns he shall say he has been robbed and pretend being poor. Back home his mistress shuts her door against him. Only his wife receives him warmly and comforts him. She wants to spin and sew until the loss is gone. Now the merchant realizes where the real love is and swears faithfulness to his wife. Epimythion: The author Hermann Fressant wishes that all men would have such a wife.
Motif References:
T 210.1 Faithful wife
H 421 Tests for true lover
H 1550 Tests of character
H 1556 Tests of fidelity [loyalty]
K 1815.1 Return home in humble disguise
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