Die Heidin C (>1250)
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Maere and Novellas
Die Heidin C (>1250)
Pfannmüller, L. (ed.): Die vier Redaktionen der Heidin (=Palaestra 108), Berlin 1911. p. 229–472
HeidinC-1:
A widely famed heathen Duke Beliant from Westerland lives in great virtues and honors. His wife Libanet is praised because of her beauty and virtues. Therefore the Christian knight Witige von dem Jordan decides to serve her. (Minnedienst). Unperturbed in his bravery he travels through the heathen country to the royal town, where he camps.
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
HeidinC-195:
The hero arrives at the town where the beautiful heathen lives. The town has a ring-wall shining like glass and so high that one can only enter through the gates. Inside seven marble towers are erected. Near the towers is a heath with three linden trees and beautiful flowers and they camp there. When the duke learns that a rich tent is erected on his heath, he sends a messenger to ask the guests what they desire. The nobleman Witege receives the messengers well, offering them food and drink. Then he tells them that he came for adventure and tournament. The heathen duke and his twelve knights prepare for battle. When Witige learns this, he appears with twelve knights to fight a tournament. The ladies appear to watch the tournament among them Lady Libanet shines like a carbuncle.
Motif References:
P 14.15.2 Court messenger
Z 71.8 Formulistic number: twelve
P 320 Hospitality
P 556.0.1 (Bm) Challenge to single combat [feud]
P 561 Tournaments
H 1301 Quest for the most beautiful of women
H 1561.1 Tests of valor: tournament
HeidinC-419:
When the lady notices that her husband is in danger, she begs him to quit the combat but he refuses angrily, telling her he will win the combat or die. So the lady approaches Witege, begging him to stop the combat. The knight answers her if he stops the combat he doesn’t know how to serve his lady. But she comforts him and Witege persuades the heathen to end the tournament and is thus invited to the fortress together with his men. The Christians are received with a court feast with courtly entertainment like dancing, ball games, singing, chess and board games.
Motif References:
T 31.0.1 (Bm) Knight places himself in would-be lady’s service
HeidinC-593:
One day when the heathen duke is out hunting, the lady asks the knight about his beloved lady for whom he is performing all the knightly deeds. Witege begins to praise his lady of utmost beauty full of virtues. The knight confesses to the queen that she is the lady he serves. Embarrassed and red with anger she rejects his wish for her to reward him with her favors. Their mutual repartee has to stop when the heathen duke returns bringing wild game. Clandestinely Witige puts a ring in the ladies hair-dress in which a letter is enclosed.
Motif References:
T 57 Declaration of love
T 70 Scorned lover [suitors]
HeidinC-910:
He bids farewell, but still serves her. For seven years he fights in the heathen country, and the queen is reminded of him by his fame. When thinking of him she finds the letter in the ring. The letter reminds the lady of the knight’s love and of his reward when she thinks it proper. The lady swoons in her grief and finally she falls ill. An old woman recognizes her illness as lovesickness 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, telling her that he will die if she doesn’t reward him and the lady gives him a choice: he can have one half of her, either the half above the belt or the half below.
Motif References:
T 24.1 Love-sickness
J 200 Choices
N 825.3 Old woman helper
HeidinC-1425:
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. Now with cunning 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 he demands a rendezvous in the forest. When the lady arrives with her entourage, all of sudden a knight appears taking her on her horse. The heathens call out for her in desperation. She is brought to Witige who gives her a knight’s garment. Her husband passing with his troops is not aware that his wife is being abducted under his very eyes.
Motif References:
R 18 Abduction by rejected suitor
T 35 Lovers’ rendezvous
R 39 Abduction – miscellaneous
T 72 Woman won and then scorned
M 260 Other promises
K 521.4.1.1 Girl [woman] escapes in male disguise
J 2301 Gullible husbands
HeidinC-2035:
Witige and his men return to their country and are received well. A court feast is arranged for their welcome. The heathen lady is received according to her rank. Witige sends out messengers to invite guests for the eight days’ feast. They arrive camping on the heath. A golden vessel is brought for her christening ceremony and she is baptized.
Motif References:
P 634 Feasts
HeidinC-2400:
Meanwhile the heathen plots on revenge. He summons brave men promising gold as reward. Seven kings arrive, 16 dukes and many nobles. Wild dwarves send 30.000 men. A messenger approaches Witige to tell him the news. The Christian summons his allies telling them that the heathens are up to seize the Christians. Both have big armies separated by a small river. Witige approaches the river. He wears beautiful armor, his helmet is ornate with an eagle which has a carbuncle in its peak, and his spear is inlaid with pearls. He defeats his heathen opponent. Witige and his troops fight so bravely that the heathens have to retreat. They win the heathen flag. The heathens have to take to flight. Many drown in the Jordan, and many heathens are taken prisoner. Witige treats them well and sets them free. Beliant and seven kings and eight dukes stay and are treated according to their rank. Lady Libanet lives at a queen’s castle.
Motif References:
P 310.5 Defeated enemy turns true friend
N 330 Accidental killing or death
P 550.1 (Li) Battle. War
P 550 Military affairs
P 555 Defeat in battle [single combat]
HeidinC-2505:
Beliant one day beholds Witige’s sister and falls in love with her. When asking Witige he kindly answers him that he will give him his sister in marriage as soon as the heathen converts to Christianity. Beliant agrees gladly and marries Witige’s sister after his baptism and they live in respect for each other.
Motif References:
T 15 Love at first sight
V 331 Conversion to Christianity
V 332 Baptism of heathen
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