Die Heidin A (>1250)
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Maere and Novellas
Die Heidin A (>1250)
Pfannmüller, L. (ed.): Die vier Redaktionen der Heidin (=Palaestra 108), Berlin 1911. p. 229–276
HeidinA-1:
The wife of a heathen king is praised because of her beauty and virtues. Therefore a Christian knight decides to serve her. (Minnedienst). He travels in his bravery through the heathen country to the royal town, where he camps. He informs the king that he fights in service of his lady.
Motif References:
T 11.1 Love from mere mention or description
T 31.0.1 (Bm) Knight places himself in would-be lady’s service
H 1301 Quest for the most beautiful of women
HeidinA-202:
When the king learns this, he appears with twelve knights to fight a tournament. The knight defeats all the heathens and is invited to the royal castle.
Motif References:
Z 71.8 Formulistic number: twelve
P 561 Tournaments
H 1561.1 Tests of valor: tournament
HeidinA-930:
One day, when the king is out hunting, the knight confesses to the queen that she is the lady he serves. Embarrassed, she rejects his wish for her to reward him with her favors.
Motif References:
T 70 Scorned lover [suitors]
HeidinA-1357:
He bids farewell, but still serves her. Seven years he fights in the heathen country, and the queen is reminded of him by his fame. Finally she falls ill. An old woman recognizes her illness as love-sickness and advises her to have the knight sent for. She asks him not to risk his life for her anymore and to travel home with great rewards. He refuses, and the lady gives him a choice: he can have one half of her, either the half above the belt or the half below. After three days thinking, the knight chooses the upper half, because he is hoping to gain the half under the belt while kissing her – but in vain. Cunningly he demands of his half that she must not kiss the king, or look at him, or speak to him. The angry husband beats her and threatens her with death if she doesn’t change her behavior. She complains to the knight, who makes fun of her. At last she yields to his desire. After having had her love, he bids farewell and returns to his country where he is received honorably. Epimythion: Women are the best in the world. God bless us because of them.
Motif References:
T 24.1 Love-sickness
T 72 Woman won and then scorned
J 200 Choices
M 260 Other promises
N 825.3 Old woman helper
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