Der Stricker, Der Pfaffe Amis (>1220/50)
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Maere and Novellas
Der Stricker, Der Pfaffe Amis (>1220/50)
Kamihara, K.(ed.): Der Pfaffe Amis (=GAG 233). Göppingen 1978.
StrPA-1:
In the old days courtly entertainment was different string instruments, singing and tell-tales. Nowadays it has changed. The people care for stories about sorrows and poverty. The author knows many brilliant words but his art is not appreciated at court. Now the author relates a story of a time when the old virtues were still intact.
Motif References:
StrPA-39:
The Stricker tells us who the first man was who started with lying and betraying and how it happed that no one warded him off. He lives in England in a town called Trânîs and his name is the minister Âmîs. He is a learned man, generous, hospitable.
Motif References:
W 11 Generosity
StrPA-55:
He is so generous that the bishop grows angry and jealous of him. He approaches the minister and tells him indignantly that he has a greater court than himself, which is not right. He accuses him of wasting goods with his courtly behavior. He is to give the bishop a part of it. The minister answers that he needs and uses all he has. If the bishop wants to be his guest he is most welcome, but he refuses to give even one penny.
Motif References:
P 320 Hospitality
P 531 Taxation and payment of fines and tribute
StrPA-85:
The angry bishop threatens to take his parish away from him (which he bestowed him with). The minister defends his position and pleads that the bishop should try him, by asking questions. The bishop asks how much water is in the sea. The minister answers, if he managed to make all the incoming waters stand still, he will measure the water of the sea. The bishop gives in because he cannot command the rivers.
Motif References:
H 696.1.1 Riddle: How much water is in the sea? Stop all the rivers and I will measure it
StrPA-124:
He asks how many days have passed since Adam’s times. The minister answers, only seven. When these seven days ended, there were another seven, and so on. As long as the world exists, it’s never more or less. The angry bishop asks where the center of the world is. Âmîs answers that the parish or church which he has been bestowed with by the bishop is the center of the earth. He shall order his servants measure with a rope, if it is wrong by only a small reed, the bishop is to have the church.
Motif References:
H 681.3.1 Where is the center of the earth? Here. If you don’t believe it measure it yourself
H 706.1 How many days have passed since the time of Adam? The seven days of the week
StrPA-147:
The bishop accuses him of lying but gives in. He asks him how far it is from earth to heaven. Answer: It is just as far as to still hear someone calling out in a low voice. If the bishop doesn’t believe he has to go up and if he doesn’t hear Âmîs shouting, the church is his. The bishop asks how wide heaven is. Âmîs tells him it is 1000 fathoms and 1000 yards wide. The bishop just has to take off sun, moon and stars and push all parts together.
Motif References:
H 682.1 Riddle: how far is it from earth to heaven
H 682.2.1 How wide is heaven? So and so wide and if you don’t believe it, go measure it yourself
StrPA-183:
The bishop demands that Âmîs has to teach a donkey to read. If he manages he will believe all the other answers. When the bishop asks how long it will take to teach the donkey Âmîs compares it to human beings who learn for twenty years, a donkey therefore needs thirty years.
Motif References:
H 1024.4 Task: teaching an ass to read
StrPA-220:
The minister muses that neither he nor the bishop will live for another thirty years, nor will the donkey. He finds a young donkey and puts a worthless book in front of him and has food laid out between the leaves of the book, but never feeds him full, in order to teach him turn the pages. When the bishop comes to see the donkey’s progress, Âmîs brings a new book and tells the bishop that the donkey has learned to turn the pages already.
Motif References:
M 291 Trickster undertakes impossible bargains and collects his part: trusts that in the year he is given either he or the other will die
K 491.3 (Tu) Trickster performs task: teaching a donkey to read, He puts food for the ass between the leaves of the book and says that the donkey is yet able to turn the leaves
StrPA-270:
He has the donkey stand in front of the book; the animal turns the leaves looking for food. When there is none to find, it screams. The bishop asks what that is supposed to mean. Âmîs answers that he has seen the letters but has only learned the letter A.
Motif References:
K 491.2 Horse [donkey] to be taught to speak
StrPA-303:
The bishop is content, but dies after a short time. Âmîs gives up teaching the donkey. The people are concerned that Âmîs had been able to teach the donkey had the bishop lived. Âmîs is honored and famed. Many guests came and he does not receive financial support, so he decides to leave to gain money elsewhere to maintain his household and his generosity.
Motif References:
P 324.1 Host treats guest with food and everything possible
StrPA-337:
Âmîs and six servants (pages) set off. Âmîs is very wise and has various equipments with him: tools for a physician, a painter. He reaches a country where a parish fair takes places just at the time he arrives. He asks the local minister to let him preach and promises him half the profit. About two thousand peasant women and noble ladies attend. Âmîs preaches that God has sent him with a miraculous relic. He promises to show them a miracle on the very day: the head of St. Brandon, which has spoken, that Âmîs is to finance a dome. But he doesn’t take any donation of an adulterous wife.
Motif References:
V 140 Sacred relics
D 1311.7 Oracular image
D 1610.5 Speaking head
StrPA-390:
At once the women crowd him and give donation; the adulterous wives are the first to give. The women give money; some give their rings, some gold. Âmîs preaches and praises the faithful women. Thus he gains wealth because he preaches in this manner in every parish he passes through. Therefore he manages to pay his debts and doesn’t loose his house. He travels all over the country and preaches. In his wake are many noble ladies who beg him to visit their parish.
Motif References:
N 67 Wager: woman can be forced to give alms. Trickster announces that only those who have deceived their husband are exempt
StrPA-491:
Now Âmîs is so well-to-do that he craves for greater riches. Therefore he travels to France and Paris and meets the king. The king asks him what his skills are. Âmîs tells him that he is an excellent painter and knows a secret art. He paints all living creations and plants, trees, mountains. But when he paints people, they are only able to see themselves pictured when of legitimate birth. He promises to show his skill in a great hall and the king agrees.
Motif References:
X 1788 Lie: the realistic painting
StrPA-539:
Âmîs demands three hundred marks and that during the time he paints no one is allowed to enter the hall. He will be finished in six weeks or earlier. The king grants it together with all Âmîs will need. Two men watch the door. The king is the first to see the painting and after him all the knights and ladies are admitted and Âmîs is allowed to collect an entry fee. Whichever knight proves to be illegitimate the king promises to discharge and take away his fief.
Motif References:
P 50.0.1 King and vassals: obligations of vassals to king [Feudality: mutual relationship between king and vassals]
J 1492 Trickster artist hoodwinks king: Cuckold’s [illegitimate child’s] eyes cannot see picture, King pretends to see the picture– Courtiers reveal that there is no picture
StrPA-588:
Âmîs closes all the windows and lets no one in except his servants. He is well treated with good food. He doesn’t paint a thing but spends a good time in the hall. When the settled time is over the king arrives together with his knights. Âmîs welcomes the king and invites him in. In the hall the king is not able to see anything because there is nothing there. Âmîs explains what is painted on the wall. The king is desperate fearing that he is an illegitimate child. So he pretends to see all Âmîs explains to him. Âmîs tells him that he has painted King Salomon, his father David, Absolon’s struggle with him etc. He tells him he painted Alexander who defeated Tarjus and Porus of Môrlant.
Motif References:
J 2349 Nature of gullibility – miscellaneous
StrPA-666:
The painting shows what had happened in Babylon, until God’s revenge destroyed it. Âmîs tells him that he pictured the king and his knights. The king pretends to be delighted. The knights are brought in and they all pretend to see the painting fearing to be taken for illegitimate children and thus lose their fiefs. All give donations to Âmîs who grows extremely wealthy.
Motif References:
P 531 Taxation and payment of fines and tribute
StrPA-725:
Many of them are furious with their mothers, but all equivocally demand that they see the painting. Âmîs is granted his salary and departs. The queen and her ladies arrive to see the painting but also pretend to see the painting. After them, the pages and servants enter the wall. Eventually one dimwit admits that he can’t see the painting. The others claim that he must be an illegitimate child. But another speaks up that he doesn’t know his father but there is nothing to be seen and challenges anybody to battle who contradicts him. They fight over the matter, but the number of people who claim that there is nothing to be seen increases. When the knights learn of the fights, they challenge each other but then agree that there is no painting at all. Finally they approach king claiming that they all can’t see the painting. Now he admits that he doesn’t see it either.
Motif References:
J 1492 Trickster artist hoodwinks king: Cuckold’s [illegitimate child’s] eyes cannot see picture, King pretends to see the picture– Courtiers reveal that there is no picture
StrPA-805:
Âmîs travels to Lutringen and meets the duke and pretends that he is the best physician all over the world. The duke is overjoyed, because he has ill relatives and men. If Âmîs is able to cure them the duke promises to make him rich.
Motif References:
K 1955 Sham physician
StrPA-857:
Âmîs boasts to cure leprosy and all other ailments; if they are thousand or more he will cure them. If not he is to be sentenced to death. The duke shall not give him a present or salary before the ills do not admit their cure, he will not accept anything. The duke sends for his ill and they are brought in a room. He promises them to cure them very soon, if they swear an oath not to speak for one week and they give in and swear. Then he demands that they tell him, who among them is the sickest, because he will kill him and cure them all with his blood.
Motif References:
K 1955.1 Sham physician cures people by threatening them with death
StrPA-861:
The ill are in dismay. He who could hardly crawl now walks without stick to prove his health. They compete with each other how small their illness is out of fear. All speak up that they are quite healthy. They swear it to Âmîs who sends them to the duke. They swear that it is a miracle; when he asks them one by one they claim to be fine because they are bound to their oath. The duke gives Âmîs a hundred marks in silver. He has sent it to England to feed his guests. After one week the ill have their old ailments again. When the duke learns the truth they all have to admit that Âmîs is way too clever.
Motif References:
M 150 Other vows and oaths
StrPA-915:
Âmîs again visits all church fairs. He has a sedan chair with his relics carried. Before his arrival in a parish he sends one of his men to find out if there is a peasant woman both rich and stupid, because he wants to take accommodation there. The man has to find out what her cock looks like and buy one with the closest resemblance. The peasant woman believes that he is a holy man and receives him well. He demands a sacrifice of her and God will reward her before cock crow: He wants her cock for dinner. He eats it and hides the bones. When all are asleep he takes out his rooster and carries it to the place where the other rooster has been. The time of cock crow comes, and the new cock crows. Âmîs sends his servant to tell the pleasant women that her cock has returned; she is concerned that it is a sign from God.
Motif References:
K 1961.1.5 Sham holy man
K 1970 Sham miracle
StrPA-988:
Âmîs tells her that what she gives him or gave him is rewarded twofold by God. He demands a good table and has it covered with the best altar cloth and sets his beautifully adorned relics on it. Âmîs has thirty candles set and sings mass and gives them a grand indulgence, so that they all are forgiven and thus earns his money.
Motif References:
V 19 Religious sacrifices – miscellaneous
V 140 Sacred relics
StrPA-1029:
Âmîs has spied out a knight’s wife who is a bit dumb. When the knight rides out he seeks accommodation there. When she is persuaded of his holiness by his “resurrected” rooster, she gives him a piece of cloth 100 yards long. When the knight returns his wife tells him she has seen a holy man. She only has given him the cloth. The angry knight promises to get the cloth back. He rides after Âmîs.
Motif References:
K 330 Means of hoodwinking the guardian or owner
StrPA-1056:
But Âmîs has foreseen that the knight will pursue him. He makes fire and puts a hot coal in the cloth. When the angry knight arrives accusing him of deception Âmîs tells him that the lady gave him the cloth voluntarily; he had not asked for it and gladly gives it back and all his other belongings. The knight is persuaded to have mercy and takes the cloth, and lets Âmîs go. After a while the cloth starts to burn. When he takes it apart it is almost completely burnt inside. The knight is concerned that it is because of the sin he has committed by taking it away from a holy man. He fears for his life in heaven, leaves the cloth and rides after Âmîs in a haste. When he reaches him he begs him to forgive him. He regrets his sin. Âmîs tells him that it was not the knight’s fault. The knight tells him that the cloth has burned because of his sins and promises to reward Âmîs twofold.
Motif References:
J 620 Forethought in prevention of other’s plans
J 1162 Plea by admitting accusation and discomfiting accuser
K 1961.1.5 Sham holy man
StrPA-1149:
When home again, the knight tells his wife of the burnt cloth. She persuades him that it burned because of his sins. Ruefully he asks her advice. She decides to sell her clothes and gains ten pound for Âmîs. The knight has the story written down for his children who buy themselves into Âmîs’ prayers. When invited into a rich man’s house, Âmîs has big living fish brought with him.
Motif References:
P 320 Hospitality
StrPA-1177:
When they all want to eat he tells the peasant that with this meal he gains heaven and he wants living fish, he will eat nothing else. The peasant is desperate because he has no fish. Âmîs tells him to catch it in the water. The peasant answers the water is three miles away. Âmîs asks him where the water they were drinking is from. The peasant answers it is from his well. Âmîs produces a sieve to fish in the well. At the well Âmîs says a blessing. When the peasant comes to the well it is brimming with fish. The peasant believes that the fish come from God, and Âmîs is God’s messenger. After the meal they give him ten pounds and Âmîs gives them indulgence.
Motif References:
X 1156 Lie: other unusual methods of catching fish
K 1968 Sham prowess in hunting (fishing)
K 1970 Sham miracle
StrPA-1270:
Âmîs and his retinue ride on. When they have accommodation in one house he sends his servant to the other and has him ask how long the couple is married, about the names of their fathers, when they have died etc. He learns how many children they have and their names. Âmîs writes this on a wax table. He learns how many have died and what their budget is. When Âmîs reveals this inexplicable knowledge to them, they are stunned and burden him with presents. He prophesies them old age, wealth and that they all will ascend to heaven on the same day.
Motif References:
K 1962 False prophet
StrPA-1289:
After a fortnight he travels to a town. Before his arrival he sends to servants to go begging. They pretend to be blind and lame. When Âmîs comes to town, he is famed for his holiness and his servants come to him. The two are healed all of a sudden and the people crowd him and give him what they have.
Motif References:
K 1818 Disguise as sick man
K 1961.1.5 Sham holy man
K 1970 Sham miracle
StrPA-1307:
Âmîs travels to a provost who is dumb but rich. Âmîs thinks if he is able to deceive him, his household will be well off for half a year. Âmîs approaches the priest and tells him that he is poor. But he doesn’t crave for goods but wants to live without sin. The provost is in awe that a layman could be so wise, without knowing the Holy Scriptures. He gives him the job as the monastery’s keeper of all the goods, gold and silver (treasurer). After four weeks they all agree that they never had a better keeper. He fasts every day, he eats only bread and water, awakes and prays.
Motif References:
K 1961.1.5 Sham holy man
StrPA-1408:
He tells the provost that an angel was sent to him three times telling him to sing mass. If he puts on the mass garment, he will know the scriptures all of a sudden. He asks the provost’s advice, who agrees to give it a try. The provost says that he has heard of many a man possessed by the spirit who could read them. If God has sent an angel it will happen here too.
Motif References:
D 1810.9 Magic knowledge from God
D 1811.2 Magic wisdom received from supernatural being
StrPA-1454:
He brings Âmîs to the dome and gives him a mass garment. Âmîs, possessed by the Holy Spirit, sings a long beautiful mass. The provost believes that is the Holy Spirit which speaks out of him and thinks he is a holy man. The provost tells everybody, many priests and ministers arrive to test Âmîs. They ask him about the scriptures, but Âmîs knows all the answers. His fame as holy man spreads far and rich and poor arrive to give donation.
Motif References:
K 3.4 Wise man [clerical trickster] disguised as monk beats learned heretic [clerics] in debate
H 502.1 Test of religious learning
StrPA-1511:
After four weeks he has servants bring the horses. Âmîs makes the monks and all their servants drunk and has silver and gold taken out and all the donations, altogether two hundred marcs. The provost has to suffer great mockery. Âmîs was the first trickster, prankster of profession.
Motif References:
K 332 Theft by making owner drunk
StrPA-1553:
After all this adventures he found a possibility to have more profit. He decides to become a merchant and very wealthy or die. All the past small gains were eaten up at once by his now famous house and the growing number of guests he has to entertain out of generosity, but he remains poor. Now he craves for greater riches. He poses as a rich merchant.
Motif References:
K 1817.4 Disguise as merchant
StrPA-1582:
He buys the best travel trunk and spends two hundred pounds for the best mules. He makes the trunks very heavy and has obedient servants. In this manner he travels to Greece and buys many goods. Âmîs muses that everybody talks about Constantinople’s great wealth and hopes to gain riches there. His host treats him generously.
Motif References:
P 324.1 Host treats guest with food and everything possible
StrPA-1616:
Âmîs passes a shop where he notices a big amount of precious silk cloth; he has never seen so much silk in his whole life. He decides to bring the silk into his possession. He notices a bald builder, who can’t speak the language. Âmîs promises to make him rich. He tells him that his bishop has died on Monday, he has been his chaplain. The builder is chosen to be his bishop in Greece and reign over a rich parish.
Motif References:
K 1961.4 Sham bishop
StrPA-1660:
First the builder doesn’t believe Âmîs and almost gets angry, because he is not able to read the scriptures or sing mass. But Âmîs persuades him that if he constantly says “It is true”, it will be to his advantage. If he has to sing mass, he should sing a German song; he knows the Greek priests don’t know the language anyway. The builder is persuaded and Âmîs provides him with fitting clothes and a sedan chair. The builder has to promise that he will only say “It is true”, otherwise he will lose the parish.
Motif References:
J 2516.3.3 Command to use only one phrase
StrPA-1716:
Together with the false bishop Âmîs visits the silk store. He asks the merchant which amount of silk he is able to provide. The merchant answers that even if he sold it at half price, no one in all German countries would be able to afford it. But Âmîs tells him that his rich bishop is the client who will buy it. He needs it for a celebration to give his knights fine clothes, horses and swords. He can’t have enough of the cloth. The bishop confirms it with the words “It is true.”
Motif References:
K 330 Means of hoodwinking the guardian or owner
StrPA-1752:
The merchant expects a good business. After bargaining and negotiating they agree on a price and Âmîs persuades the merchant to have the silk carried to their lodging to have the bishop see the cloth. He pretends to have three thousand pounds in silver with him. The bishop confirms it. The merchant has the silk carried to a ship. Âmîs tells him that they will pay the cloth with silver coined and uncoined and the merchant has to bring a scale to weight it; the bishop confirms it.
Motif References:
K 343.1 Owner sent on errand and goods stolen
StrPA-1825:
Âmîs hurries to have the silk and his servants in the ship and escapes. The merchant buys a good scale, spends much money on the bishop and waits for the silver. He asks the bishop why Âmîs has not arrived with the silver and the bishop only says: “It is true.” Again he treats the bishop with everything possible. On the third day the desperate merchant muses that Âmîs will spare them half a year and the bishop confirms it. When he says that he has to wait twenty years, the bishop confirms it again. Now the merchant grows angry, curses the bishop and Âmîs and wants to see them dead and the bishop confirms it. The merchant throws him to the ground, but the bishop repeats the sentence: it’s true; no matter how hard he is beaten.
Motif References:
M 202.0.1 Bargain or promise to be fulfilled at all hazards
StrPA-1974:
The story spreads and the citizen passes by who had the builder in his service. He asks the merchant what the man did to him and the merchant tells him of the bargain threatening to torture him until he tells the truth. The sham bishop still only says his single sentence. The citizens ask him why he only speaks this one sentence and promises his help. Now the builder relates his story with Âmîs who persuaded him to be his bishop and confirm everything with one sentence. Now he regrets the deal. The citizen helps the builder to recover.
Motif References:
N 835 Wealthy (powerful) man as helper
StrPA-2043:
Âmîs returns to England; he decides to once again try his luck by again disguising himself as merchant. He prepares all the necessities for a journey. He changes his appearance to a layman. When he comes to Greece to the same town no one recognizes him. He takes accommodation but only his servants are admitted in his rooms. He spies in the town if there is any business around where he can make a good profit and finds a jeweler. The merchant has so many precious stones that no one is able to buy them.
Motif References:
K 1817.4 Disguise as merchant
StrPA-2131:
Âmîs asks the merchant about one stone on display worth ten marcs. The merchant promises a good price, so Âmîs inquires what all his jewels would cost. The merchant answers, that it would be too high price to pay. But Âmîs insists to know the price, pretending that he can pay it. The jeweler is persuaded and has all his precious stones displayed and tells Âmîs the names and the worth: altogether a thousand marks. Âmîs offers six hundred. The merchant agrees with a handshake. Âmîs wants to have the stones carried to his hostel but the merchant demands his money first. Âmîs persuades him by sending for good scales so he can avoid deceit in weighing.
Motif References:
K 343.1 Owner sent on errand and goods stolen
StrPA-2250:
The merchant has carried the stones to Âmîs’ hostel. Âmîs’ servants bind the merchant and gag him. Âmîs finds a ship and has the jewels loaded in. Before the voyage he visits a physician. He tells him that his poor father has been ill since two years and now has lost his senses and has gone mad, always demanding payment. Âmîs persuades the physician to help him for sixty marks. The physician promises to make him sane or give the money back. Âmîs has the jeweler brought to the physician, who observes the man’s behavior. When he takes away the gag the jeweler begs him to help him gain his money back, he owns a house in town. Âmîs has bound him and robbed him of his jewels. He begs him to send a messenger to his friends and offers him two pounds until he can prove his identity.
Motif References:
K 233 Trickster escapes without paying
K 242 Creditor falsely reported insane when he demands money
StrPA-2300:
But Âmîs tells the physician that his poor father talks in this very manner all the time. The physician believes Âmîs who promises the money for the next morning. The physician believes that when the alleged insane sleeps he will have partly recovered. Âmîs sets off with ship. The jeweler has to take off his clothes and is brought to a steam bath. His hair is shaved and the physician treats his head with phlebotomies. He nearly dies. His bath is so hot that it almost burns his skin. Although he continuously begs the physician to send a messenger to his house, his pleas remain unheard.
Motif References:
J 1151 Testimony of witness cleverly discredited
StrPA-2433:
In the morning the physician asks him if he has improved but the man has to admit he suffers even more. He has been deprived of his goods and now has to suffer physical torture. But the physician threatens to torture him all his life if he continues with his insane demands. Now the jeweler tells the physician to send a messenger for the money Âmîs owes him. The messenger returns telling them that Âmîs has set off. The merchant persuades the angry physician at last to send a messenger to his wife, who hurries to set him free. When she finds him there naked and injured, she asks about the 600 marks rather than what has happened to him. But he tells her that they treated him like an insane man because of his demanding his money. If she doesn’t keep quiet they will treat her alike. The wife has all his friends with her who are sorry for him. But the physician insists on his 30 marks.
Motif References:
J 1434 Strenuous cure for madness
StrPA-2473:
Âmîs travels to England and brings rich goods and treats his guests well in a generous manner. After thirty years he repents and swears never to deceive again. He enters a monastery and takes his riches with him. He serves god and improves the monastery. After the abbot’s death Âmîs takes over such a pious life that he gains salvation.
Motif References:
Q 36 Reward for repentance
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