Motif Index of German Secular Narratives                 
Published by the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna
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S. Unnatural Cruelty

Index of Motifs
A B C D E F
G H I J K L
M N O P Q R
S T U V W X
Y Z Back
S0–99 Cruel relatives
S100–199 Revolting murders or mutilations
S200–299 Cruel sacrifices
S300–399 Abandoned or murdered children
S400–499 Cruel persecutions
 

S. Unnatural Cruelty

S0–99 Cruel relatives

11:   Cruel father
HE: WDieA 49 (ca. 1230)
11.3:   Father kills child
CdG: KM2 97 (1320/40)
11.3.7:   Father orders son assassinated
HE: WDieA 49 (ca. 1230)
11.4:   Father plans child’s (son’s) death [injury]
MdB: WCRPa 115 (1331-1336)
11.4.1:   (Jealous) father vows to kill [kills] daughter’s suitors
MdB: UvZLa 1113 (>1194)
HE: DietF 2142 (ca. 1275), Kudr 4 (>1260)
11.4.4:   Cruel father seeks to kill infant son
RoA: GrAlx 272 (1397)
12:   Cruel mother
RoA: TrojEl 93 (1375)
12.1.1:   Treacherous mother and paramour plan son’s death
MdB: WCRPa 113, WCRPa 115 (1331-1336)
21:   Cruel son
CdG: UvTRW 505 (>1243)
MR: MaBe 173 (1270/80)
HE: WDieA 278 (ca. 1230)
RoA: HvFLvT 17347 (after 1190)
22:   Parricide
MdB: Lanc2 591 (<1250), WCRPa 621 (1331-1336)
RoA: KvWTK 49458 (1281/87), UvEAlx 2944, UvEAlx 2997 (1278/83)
30:   Cruel step- and foster relatives
RoA: HvNAp 15277 (1300)
31:   Cruel stepmother
MR: FvS 402 (>1314)
RoA: TrojEl 50 (1375)
51.1:   Cruel mother-in-law plans death of daughter-in-law
MR: HvBKF 1959 (1400), MaBe 138 (1270/80)
56:   Cruel son-in-law
MN: SibFE 175 (<1266)
60:   Cruel spouse
RoA: KvWTK 13589, KvWTK 49458 (1281/87)
62:   Cruel husband
MdB: EvOTr 4243 (1175/80), Lanc1 522, Lanc1 525, Lanc2 155, Lanc2 170, Lanc3 716 (<1250)
CdG: KEmd 765, KEmd 1147 (1354), KM2 97, KM2 2113, KM4 16, KM4 22 (1320/40)
MR: KvWP 12810 (1277), ReivB 19492 (>1291)
HE: WDieA 278 (ca. 1230)
MN: GvMFa 64, GvMFa 99 (>1270)
OR: KFFB 4295 (ca. 1220), TrFlor 4 (1170)
70:   Other cruel relatives
RoA: HvFLvT 17802 (after 1190)
71:   Cruel uncle
HE: DietF 2445, DietF 2602 (ca. 1275)
RoA: HMvNT 2 (1390/92), HvFLvT 170 (after 1190), KvWTK 6682 (1281/87)
73:   Cruel brother (sister)
MdB: HvdTCr 11037, HvdTCr 11167 (>1225)
CdG: KM1 12114 (1315/20)
73.1:   Fratricide
MdB: HvdTCr 29462 (>1225), Lanc3 257, Lanc3 261, Lanc3 295 (<1250), WCRPa 678 (1331-1336), WvEP 474, WvEP 498 (<1200/10), WvGW 6017 (>1210/20)
CdG: Ali 575 (>1400)
RoA: UvEAlx 11130, UvEAlx 17735 (1278/83)
73.1.0.1:   Murder of stepbrother (foster brother)
MN: Pila 357 (>1200)
RoA: HvVEn 9 (1170/74)
73.2:   Person [brother] banishes brother (sister)
RoA: HvVEn 9 (1170/74)

S100–199 Revolting murders or mutilations

110:   Murders
MdB: Lanc2 155, Lanc2 207, Lanc2 330, Lanc2 337, Lanc2 379, Lanc2 388, Lanc2 394, Lanc2 598, Lanc2 638, Lanc2 786, Lanc3 63, Lanc3 257, Lanc3 317, Lanc3 716 (<1250), WCRPa 255, WCRPa 350, WCRPa 616, WCRPa 794 (1331-1336), Wiga 1078, Wiga 5146 (<1245), WvGW 9799 (>1210/20)
MR: FvS 1881 (>1314), KvWP 12670 (1277)
RoA: BaAlx 845 (1150/60), GoTK 9289 (1280), HMvNT 22 (1390/92), KvWTK 48537 (1281/87), PLVAlx 527 (1150/60), SeAlx 1081 (1352), UvEAlx 2021, UvEAlx 16581, UvEAlx 18157 (1278/83)
110.0.1:   (Li) Mass murder
MdB: Lanc2 337, Lanc3 317 (<1250)
HE: Ortnit 312 (ca. 1230)
RoA: UvEAlx 7656, UvEAlx 20557 (1278/83)
110.4:   Prince resolves to drive relatives from his domain
HE: WDieB 267 (ca. 1250)
110.10:   (Bm) City and inhabitants willfully destroyed
RoA: HMvNT 21 (1390/92), HvFLvT 1570 (after 1190), KvWTK 12903, KvWTK 48100, KvWTK 48449, KvWTK 48537 (1281/87), SeAlx 6201 (1352), TrojEl 46 (1375), UvEAlx 15369, UvEAlx 22897 (1278/83)
111:   Murder by poisoning
MdB: Lanc2 63, Lanc3 485 (<1250), Lohe 749 (>1285)
MN: HRFu 2163 (>1192)
RoA: BaAlx 4390 (1150/60), GrAlx 6031 (1397), SeAlx 8277 (1352), StrAlx 7271 (1170), UvEAA 630, UvEAlx 24979, UvEAlx 26849 (1278/83)
112:   Burning to death
MdB: HvdTCr 14267 (>1225), WCRPa 678, WCRPa 779 (1331-1336)
CdG: WvEW 100 (1210/20)
MR: FvS 6535 (>1314)
MN: Jued 280 (>1200)
RoA: KvWTK 11266, KvWTK 38391 (1281/87), RvEAlx 10637, RvEAlx 16635 (1235/1254), StrAlx 5359 (1170), TrojEl 42 (1375), UvEAlx 22585 (1278/83)
112.0.1:   City burned with all inhabitants
MN: MovC 217 (1210/15)
RoA: BaAlx 1776 (1150/60), StrAlx 2273 (1170), UvEAlx 22897 (1278/83)
112.0.2:   House (hostel) burned with all inside
HE: NL 36 (1191/1204)
112.1:   Boiling to death
MN: EnWb 121 (<1350)
113:   Murder by strangling
RoA: GoTK 7419, GoTK 22915 (1280)
113.1:   Murder by hanging
MdB: HvAIw 4357, HvAIw 5761 (>1190/1200), Lanc2 155 (<1250), WCRPa 685 (1331-1336)
CdG: KM1 317 (1315/20)
MR: JvWW 4500 (1314)
HE: DietF 7683 (ca. 1275)
RoA: UvEAlx 7761 (1278/83)
113.1.2:   Prisoners taken in war (enemy’s messengers) hanged
RoA: BaAlx 1025, PLVAlx 741 (1150/60), StrAlx 991 (1170)
114:   Murder by flaying
MR: KvWP 12810 (1277)
115:   Murder by stabbing
CdG: KM2 97, KM2 3031 (1320/40)
MR: JvWW 19008 (1314), MaBe 173 (1270/80)
MN: UBEd 61 (ca. 1345)
OR: SaMor 158 (>1200)
RoA: BaAlx 2732 (1150/60), GrAlx 2705 (1397), RvEAlx 14783 (1235/1254), StrAlx 3690 (1170)
116.4:   Murder by crushing head
OR: SaMor 275 (>1200)
RoA: UvEAlx 1763 (1278/83)
117:   Death by dragging behind horse
CdG: KM5 160 (1320/40), PKRL 9009 (1172)
RoA: RvEAlx 10329 (1235/1254), UvEAA 760 (1278/83)
118:   Murder by cutting
MN: MovC 189 (1210/15)
118.2:   Murder by cutting throat
MN: KKJB 961 (>1372)
119:   (Bm) Death by stoning
RoA: HvFLvT 16390 (after 1190), RvEAlx 20019 (1235/1254)
123:   Burial alive
MN: StrBE 233 (>1220/50)
131:   Murder by drowning
MdB: WCRPa 322 (1331-1336), WvGW 5280 (>1210/20)
CdG: KM1 10498 (1315/20)
HE: NL 25 (1191/1204)
MN: EnWb 353 (<1350), HKUM 277 (ca. 1400)
OR: SaMor 772 (>1200)
132:   Murder by starvation
MdB: StrDan 6983 (>1220/50)
133:   Murder by beheading
MdB: HvdTCr 16606 (>1225), WCRPa 621 (1331-1336)
CdG: PKRL 801 (1172), StrKG 1397 (1220/50)
MR: DgF 1306 (ca. 1230), JvWW 4500 (1314)
HE: DietF 7683 (ca. 1275), NL 33 (1191/1204)
OR: SaMor 289 (>1200)
RoA: GoTK 4505 (1280), HvFLvT 16390 (after 1190), RvEAlx 5207 (1235/1254)
139:   Miscellaneous cruel murders
CdG: KEmd 227, KEmd 321 (1354), KM3 86, KM5 48 (1320/40)
HE: NL 32 (1191/1204)
MN: GvMFa 103 (>1270), MovC 189 (1210/15)
OR: SaMor 275 (>1200)
RoA: BaAlx 489 (1150/60), HMvNT 93 (1390/92), HvFLvT 16726 (after 1190), KvWTK 11010, KvWTK 11266, KvWTK 38391 (1281/87), RvEAlx 1965, RvEAlx 2611 (1235/1254), SeAlx 675 (1352), TrojEl 40, TrojEl 42, TrojEl 93 (1375)
139.2:   Slain person dismembered
MdB: Lanc2 529 (<1250)
CdG: KM5 158 (1320/40)
RoA: HMvNT 84 (1390/92), RvEAlx 11058 (1235/1254)
139.2.1:   Head of murdered (defeated) man displayed before his own house
HE: Virg 526 (ca. 1250)
139.2.1.1:   Head of murdered man taken along as trophy
MdB: HvdTCr 14149, HvdTCr 16714 (>1225), Lanc1 585, Lanc1 626, Lanc2 75, Lanc2 138, Lanc2 337, Lanc2 383 (<1250), WCRPa 834 (1331-1336)
MR: JohV 564, JohV 1416, JohV 2811 (1400/50?)
RoA: GoTK 11583, GoTK 19300, GoTK 24035 (1280)
139.2.2:   Other indignities to corpse
MdB: HvdTCr 19021 (>1225), Lanc1 626, Lanc3 696 (<1250)
CdG: KM3 105 (1320/40)
RoA: HvFLvT 4855 (after 1190), UvEAlx 7682 (1278/83)
139.2.2.1:   Heads of slain enemies impaled upon stakes
MdB: HvAEr 8754 (>1180), HvdTCr 14230 (>1225)
CdG: KM1 7754 (1315/20)
139.2.2.1.4:   Heads of defeated enemies hung on conqueror’s saddle
CdG: KM1 4069, KM1 4257 (1315/20)
139.2.2.4:   Part of corpses used in sport
HE: WDieB 690, WDieD 49 (ca. 1250)
139.2.2.4.1:   Head used as ball
HE: Virg 526, WDieB 690, WDieD 49 (ca. 1250)
139.2.2.9:   (Bm) Humiliation of corpse, headless body of enemy dragged through camp
RoA: HMvNT 80 (1390/92), HvFLvT 13141 (after 1190), KvWTK 40581, KvWTK 42369 (1281/87), TrojEl 107, TrojEl 114 (1375)
139.2.2.10:   (Bm) Body of dead enemy hero left in street for all to see
RoA: HMvNT 81 (1390/92), HvFLvT 13684 (after 1190)
139.2.2.11:   (Bm) Humiliation of corpse: body of enemy thrown to dogs in street
RoA: TrojEl 109 (1375)
139.2.2.11.2:   (Bm) Humiliation of corpse: body of dead hero left in field for wild beasts to eat
MdB: Wiga 1078 (<1245), WvGW 9799 (>1210/20)
RoA: KvWTK 40425 (1281/87)
139.2.2.12:   (Bm) Humiliation of corpse, warrior queen’s corpse cast into lake [river]
RoA: HMvNT 85 (1390/92), HvFLvT 14832 (after 1190), KvWTK 42546 (1281/87)
139.6:   Murder by tearing out heart
MN: UBEd 54 (ca. 1345)
141:   Exposure in boat
MR: HvAGr 627 (1190/1200)
143:   Abandonment in forest
RoA: GoTK 6163 (1280), KvWTK 380, KvWTK 5005, KvWTK 41388 (1281/87), TrojEl 4 (1375), UvEAlx 2827, UvEAlx 2997 (1278/83)
148:   Abandonment in bonds
MdB: HvdTCr 14104 (>1225)
160:   Mutilations
MdB: HvdTCr 14104 (>1225)
CdG: WvEW 100 (1210/20)
RoA: UvEAlx 15320 (1278/83)
160.1:   Self-mutilation
MdB: HvdTCr 9055 (>1225)
HE: UvLFD 436 (1255)
161:   Mutilation: cutting off hands (arms)
RoA: UvEAlx 9657 (1278/83)
161.1:   Mutilation: cutting off fingers
HE: UvLFD 436 (1255)
162:   Mutilation: cutting off legs (feet)
HE: WDieB 495 (ca. 1250)
RoA: UvEAlx 9657 (1278/83)
163:   Mutilation: cutting (tearing) out tongue
CdG: KM3 52 (1320/40)
MN: GvMFa 64 (>1270)
RoA: UvEAlx 15320 (1278/83)
164:   Mutilation: knocking out teeth
RoA: BaAlx 730, PLVAlx 411 (1150/60), StrAlx 482 (1170)
165:   Mutilation: putting out eyes [blinding]
MdB: HvdTCr 14323 (>1225), HvFTr 5025 (>1280)
CdG: KM2 5010, KM3 52 (1320/40), UvTAr 6, UvTAr 7, UvTAr 105 (1261/69), UvTAr2 99 (>1300)
RoA: UvEAlx 7656, UvEAlx 27779 (1278/83)
166:   Mutilation: skin cut from back [flaying]
MN: GvMFa 121 (>1270)
166.1:   Mutilation: beard torn off with the skin (and cheeks)
CdG: KM2 3031 (1320/40)
166.5:   Mutilation: chin and lips cut off
MdB: StrDan 1291 (>1220/50)
RoA: UvEAlx 15320 (1278/83)
168:   Mutilation: tearing [cutting] off ears
RoA: UvEAlx 15320 (1278/83)
172:   Mutilation: nose cut off or crushed
MdB: StrDan 1291 (>1220/50)
RoA: UvEAlx 15320 (1278/83)
176:   Mutilation: sex organs cut off
CdG: WvEW 105 (1210/20)
MN: HKLFb 475 (ca. 1400)
176.1:   Mutilation: emasculation [castration]
MdB: AlbJT 2451 (<1272/1294), WvEP 652 (<1200/10)
180:   Wounding or torturing
MdB: Lanc1 567 (<1250)
CdG: KM1 12485 (1315/20), KM5 6 (1320/40), PKRL 180 (1172), StrKG 625 (1220/50), WvEW 105 (1210/20)
MN: HRFu 635 (>1192)
180.1:   (Bm) Confession obtained by torture
RoA: RvEAlx 19821 (1235/1254)
182.2:   Girl [man] pulled about by her [his] hair
MdB: Lanc2 379 (<1250)
OR: SaMor 289 (>1200)
182.3:   (G) Man hanged by feets to tree
MdB: Lanc1 420 (<1250), WCRPa 506, WCRPa 517 (1331-1336)
186:   Torturing by beating
MdB: HvAEr 5378 (>1180), HvdTCr 14149 (>1225), StrDan 1291 (>1220/50)
CdG: Ali 87 (>1400)
RoA: GoTK 4423, GoTK 9289 (1280)

S200–299 Cruel sacrifices

200:   Cruel sacrifices
MdB: UvZLa 7169, UvZLa 7445 (>1194)
RoA: TrojEl 121 (1375)
210.1:   Child sold into slavery
MN: SchKA 1, SchKB 1 (>1200)
RoA: UvEAlx 11287 (1278/83)
221:   Child sold (promised) for money [Child given as present]
CdG: UvTRW 9898, UvTRW 11590, UvTRW 17804 (>1243), WvEW 70, WvEW 99 (1210/20)
260.1:   Human sacrifice
CdG: KM5 6 (1320/40), PKRL 180 (1172), StrKG 625 (1220/50)
RoA: HMvNT 93 (1390/92), KvWTK 24158, KvWTK 24509 (1281/87), TrojEl 71, TrojEl 72 (1375)
262.2:   Tribute of youths regularly sent to foreign king.
MdB: EvOTr 351 (1175/80), GvSTr 5871 (>1210), HvAIw 6283 (>1190/1200), HvdTCr 5469, HvdTCr 5546 (>1225), Lanc1 560 (<1250)
262.2.1:   Youths and maidens as yearly tribute to monsters
HE: Virg 24 (ca. 1250)
262.4:   Girl offers to sacrifice herself to dragon [heathen] in place of her parents [queen]
HE: Virg 24 (ca. 1250)
263:   Sacrifice to appease spirits (gods)
RoA: GrAlx 4050 (1397)
264.1.3:   (Bm) Princess slain to abate storm and avenge her lover’s murder
RoA: HMvNT 93 (1390/92)
268:   Child sacrificed to provide blood for cure of friend
MN: KKJB 961 (>1372)

S300–399 Abandoned or murdered children

301:   Children abandoned (exposed)
MR: JohV 41, JohV 2527 (1400/50?), KvWP 17900 (1277)
RoA: KvWTK 380, KvWTK 5005, KvWTK 41388 (1281/87), TrojEl 4 (1375)
302:   Children murdered
CdG: KM2 97 (1320/40)
HE: Kudr 29 (>1260)
MN: EnWb 121 (<1350), UBEd 54 (ca. 1345)
312:   Illegitimate child exposed
MR: JohV 2527 (1400/50?)
312.1:   Child of incest exposed
MR: HvAGr 627 (1190/1200)
322.1:   Father casts daughter forth
MN: Socia 180 (>1400)
322.1.5:   Boy turned out of doors by father
MN: WdGMH 1704 (1280/90)
322.4:   Evil stepmother [foster mother] casts boy forth
MR: UvEWW 5105 (<1297)
322.4.2:   Evil stepmother [foster mother] orders stepdaughter [foster daughter] to be killed
RoA: HvNAp 15277 (1300)
324:   Pregnant woman ordered by husband to kill child to be born
RoA: UvEAlx 2827 (1278/83)
326.1:   Disobedient child burned
331:   Exposure of child in boat (floating chest)
MR: HvAGr 627 (1190/1200)
334:   Tokens of royalty (nobility) left with exposed child
MR: HvAGr 627 (1190/1200), JohV 41, JohV 387, JohV 2527 (1400/50?)
RoA: UvEAlx 2827 (1278/83)
335:   Child exposed at palace gate
MR: JohV 41, JohV 2527 (1400/50?)
350:   Fate of abandoned child
HE: WDieA 115 (ca. 1230)
350.2:   Child driven out (exposed) brought up in secret
HE: WDieA 115 (ca. 1230)
RoA: GoTK 2187 (1280)
351.2:   Abandoned child reared by herdsman
HE: WDieA 115 (ca. 1230)
RoA: GoTK 1382 (1280), KvWTK 520, KvWTK 41388 (1281/87), TrojEl 5 (1375)
352:   Animal aids abandoned child(ren)
RoA: KvWTK 520, KvWTK 41388 (1281/87), TrojEl 4 (1375)
354:   Exposed infant (child) reared at strange king’s court [at shepherd’s place]
MR: JohV 135, JohV 2527 (1400/50?)
RoA: GoTK 2731 (1280), UvEAlx 2891, UvEAlx 2926, UvEAlx 2997 (1278/83)

S400–499 Cruel persecutions

400:   Cruel persecutions
MdB: StrDan 1291 (>1220/50), WCRPa 115, WCRPa 352 (1331-1336)
MR: FvS 1881 (>1314)
MN: HKRE 236 (ca. 1400)
410:   Persecuted wife
MdB: Lanc2 155 (<1250), WvEP 256 (<1200/10)
411:   Wife banished
MdB: Lanc1 525, Lanc1 531 (<1250)
HE: WDieA 278 (ca. 1230)
MN: HKRE 420 (ca. 1400), SchKF 210 (1365/1402)
413.2:   Second wife orders husband to persecute first wife
MdB: Lanc1 531 (<1250)
433:   Cast-off wife (girl) abandoned on island
RoA: GoTK 22075 (1280)
442:   Outcast wife [queen] and her son live in poverty
MN: SchKF 261 (1365/1402)
451:   Outcast wife at last united with husband and children
MN: SchKF 555 (1365/1402)
460:   Other cruel persecutions
HE: Kudr 24 (>1260)
RoA: GoTK 6163 (1280), KvWTK 12103, KvWTK 12903, KvWTK 48100 (1281/87), TrojEl 46 (1375)
481:   Cruelty to animals
MR: KvWP 17970, KvWP 18400 (1277)
MN: Buss 800 (>1300)