Die Heidin B (>1250)
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Maere and Novellas
Die Heidin B (>1250)
Pfannmüller, L. (ed.): Die vier Redaktionen der Heidin (=Palaestra 108), Berlin 1911. p. 4–51
HeidinB-1:
A most virtuous heathen king, famous for his bravery and hunting skills, has an extremely beautiful wife. She obeys the king in every respect and is faithful. The heathen queen’s beauty and virtues spread far and wide. A count near the Rhine learns of the heathen queen, falls in love and decides to go on a quest. Fearing the people’s mockery he swears never to speak of his love until he has gained her or die.
Motif References:
T 11.1 Love from mere mention or description
H 1301 Quest for the most beautiful of women
HeidinB-225:
He summons his knights and tells them that they will go on a military campaign. His knights have to swear to watch over his countries if he dies. They swear it and chose a captain. The count rewards them and they depart. In the evening the party comes to a green meadow. The duke demands an oath of faithfulness and all swear. A messenger approaches and invites the count to a tournament twenty miles away. He arrives early on a Sunday morning. The participants form parties. The count gains the prize.
Motif References:
Z 71.8 Formulistic number: twelve
P 561 Tournaments
H 1561.1 Tests of valor: tournament
HeidinB-380:
The count and his retinue proceed in this knightly manner for eleven years. At last they come to the country of the heathen queen. They camp in front of the castle. The heathen king sends a messenger to the count to inquire if they have come as friend or foe. The queen immediately believes that they are friends. The count receives the messenger well and rewards him with gold, silver and precious garments. He tells him that he will joust with all comers.
Motif References:
P 14.15.2 Court messenger
P 52 Knight jousts with all comers
HeidinB-457:
When the heathen king hears the challenge he arms himself and meets the count outside on a plain. The queen watches the combat. After a while the heathen king is in dire straits and regrets having accepted the challenge. The queen advises to end the combat, but begs the count to give her husband the prize, who agrees out of love to her.
Motif References:
P 556.0.1 (Bm) Challenge to single combat [feud]
P 557.4 Customs concerning single combat
HeidinB-550:
The angry king sends his knights to battle but the count defeats all comers. Gladly the king accepts that the queen persuades the count to retreat to save his life. King and queen invite the knight and treat him with food and courtly entertainment. When the queen asks him which lady he serves he tells her his name, Alpharius of Lebenberc. The queen’s name is Dêmuot. He tells her that he serves a beautiful lady full of virtues. The queen tries to find out the lady’s name. When she swears an oath never to reveal his secret he tells her that he is in love with her.
Motif References:
T 31.0.1 (Bm) Knight places himself in would-be lady’s service
P 555 Defeat in battle [single combat]
HeidinB-839:
The queen is in dismay and at first doubts his words. But he tells her that he traveled because of her and demands his reward. The angry queen threatens to tell the king. She accuses him of seducing women, he denies pleading for her mercy but she refuses. She advises to return to his home-country but he departs accusing her of hard-heartedness.
Motif References:
T 70 Scorned lover [suitors]
HeidinB-1305:
He bids farewell but still serves her. For seven years he fights in the heathen country and the queen is remembered of him by his fame. Finally she falls ill. An old woman recognizes her illness as lovesickness and advises her to have sent for the knight. She asks him not to risk his life for her anymore and to travel home highly rewarded. He refuses and the lady gives him the choice that he can have one half of her – above the belt or under the belt. After thinking about this for three days, the knight chooses the upper half because he is hoping to gain the half under the belt while kissing her, but in vain. He cunningly demands of his half that she is not allowed to 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.
Motif References:
T 24.1 Love-sickness
J 200 Choices
M 260 Other promises
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