Heinrich von dem Türlin, Der Mantel (>1225)
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Matière de Bretagne
Heinrich von dem Türlin, Der Mantel (>1225)
Warnatsch, O. (ed.): Der Mantel. (= German. Abhandl. 2) Breslau 1883.
HvdTM-1:
Good people strive for virtues which an evil man hates. In those times King Arthur lived of whom so many stories are told. Deeds of valiance improve those who see them and who are told of them. One day when King Arthur was king of England and Britanje there was an adventure at Karadigant. He had a splendid court and was famous for his munificence. Therefore many people went to visit his court. Now this virtue is in decay. He still had another custom: When he proclaimed a feast, messengers were sent out to invite the knights. They were bound to attend the feast with their ladies otherwise they would be punished. One Whitsuntide the king celebrates a splendid feast which he has proclaimed in all lands and the queen has sent out messengers too. As they use to do each year many guests arrive with their ladies. They all are virtuous people and the ladies very beautiful. The queen gives rich garments and ornaments, rings and girdles to the lady-guests as is her custom. Arthur gives weapons and clothes and horses to the knights. All guests are given according to their worthiness.
Motif References:
W 11.2 Munificent monarch
P 634 Feasts
HvdTM-215:
There can be no harmony between virtuosity and the lack of virtues. This can be illustrated by the example of Keie. He lacks virtue, and uses to mock and slander people. For this reason he lives apart from other people at the court and has his meal at a table of his own. They are afraid of his bad character and evil tongue and avoid meeting him. His appearance, hair and clothes are old-fashioned.
Motif References:
W 188 Contentiousness.
M 402 Satire [satirist]
K 2130 Trouble-makers
HvdTM-284:
As soon as all guests have arrived there are all sorts of pastimes and knightly sports. The following morning trumpets are blown as a signal that mass will begin soon. The king and the queen, the knights and ladies go to the church. The knights gaze at the beautiful ladies and discuss who outshines the others. After the mass they go to the hall and the king according to his fasting custom waits for some adventure. Both the cooks and the knights, who are already very hungry, are annoyed and the knights go to the look-out. Gawein says to Keie that the king should rather eat now for if anything were to happen they would already have set their eyes on it. Keie tells the king that he should no longer wait, because noon has already past and the knights were impatient to ride out. The queen is displeased as well. Yet the king does not change his mind.
Motif References:
P 14 Particular practices of kings
M 151 Vow not to eat before hearing of adventure
HvdTM-449:
Gawein catches sight of a squire riding up toward the castle and tells his companions that they soon would have their meal. The squire enters the courtyard. When he takes off his mantle they see that he is very beautiful. He is a courteous man and greets the knights. Then he asks where he can find the king. After he has greeted him the squire says that a lady has sent him with a gift which will bring them neither harm nor dishonor. Arthur grants the rash boon requested of him and the squire takes a mantle out of a tiny bag which is to bring shame to the ladies later on. It is very beautiful and was made by a fairy to be presented at this feast. The mantle will only fit a woman who never wronged her man in any way. If a woman ever has broken the laws of true love the mantle will prove it by shrinking or stretching when the lady tries it on. The ladies and maidens of the court must put on the mantle to test their chastity - this is the boon the squire obtained from the king.
Motif References:
M 223 Blind promise (rash boon)
H 411.7 Mantle as chastity test.
D 482 Stretching objects.
N 770.0.1 Feast as occasion for the beginning of adventures or the arrival of questers
D 813 Magic object received from fairy
D 1053 Magic mantle (cloak)
HvdTM-613:
Gawein says that the king should send for the queen and her ladies to try the mantle. Keie and Engrewein are sent for them. The queen and her ladies are about to eat and have to leave the table. The ladies stand in a circle and the queen is the first one to try the mantle which proves to be too short for her. The king is displeased and has the other ladies tested. The queen is ashamed because of her failure and becomes red and white. She curses the evil fairy who made the mantle. Though the ladies are in distress due to the test they cannot avoid it. Keie praises the chastity of his own lady and makes her put on the mantle which reaches only her belt. No one except the knight Brun Senpite dares to comment this failure for they all fear Keie’s evil tongue. When Engrevein’s lady tries the mantle it reaches only her girdle. The back of the mantle is much too short when Gawein’s lady puts it on. Keie gives his comment. Erec has Enite try the mantle and it almost fits her, but is not quite long enough. Keie once again proves his malevolence.
Motif References:
W 188 Contentiousness.
M 402 Satire [satirist]
H 411.7 Mantle as chastity test.
D 482 Stretching objects.
D 1053 Magic mantle (cloak)
K 2130 Trouble-makers
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