Hartmann von Aue, active around 1200, is regarded as one of the most significant epic poets of the Middle High German classical period. Alongside his contemporaries, he was instrumental in establishing the courtly romance, a genre adopted from France. His narrative works are characterized by sophisticated storytelling and a profound exploration of chivalric ideals and moral complexities. Readers will find his texts compelling explorations of heroes navigating both internal struggles and external trials.
This novel by Hartmann tells the story of Gregorius, a medieval scholar who becomes disillusioned with his life and embarks on a journey to find meaning and purpose. Along the way he encounters various challenges and trials, and ultimately discovers a new perspective on life and learning.
Erec is the earliest extant German Arthurian romance, freely adapted and translated into Middle High German by the Swabian knight, Hartmann von Aue, from the first Old French Arthurian romance, Chr tien de Troyes' Erec et Enide. Hartmann's work dates from c. 1180, but the only (almost) complete manuscript dates from the early sixteenth century, copied into the huge two-volume Ambraser Heldenbuch, now housed in Vienna - the most comprehensive extant compilation of medieval German romances and epics, commissioned by Emperor Maximilian I. Otherwise, only a few earlier medieval fragments survive. Erec tells the story of a young knight at King Arthur's court, whose early prowess wins him high repute, and a beautiful wife, Enite. He falls into disrepute because of his excessively zealous devotion of his time to her. Alerted to his notoriety, he embarks on a series of symbolic adventures, which eventually lead to his achieving a new balance between the claims of love and those of society. Far more than a simple translation, Hartmann's first attempt at an Arthurian romance is notable for its zest and gusto. This is the first edition with a parallel text translation into English; it is presented with explanatory notes and variant readings. Cyril Edwards is a Senior Research Fellow of Oxford University's Faculty of Medieval and Modern Languages, and an Honorary Research Fellow of University College London.
More tales from the medieval ages starring women warriors way too hot for vigorous action, sword and sorcery awash with hot sex. Beautifully painted, from Spain and with a dash of humor.
Few stories were as widely known during the Middle Ages as the account of Iwein and Laudine, which appeared in French, Welsh, English, Norse, Swedish, Danish, Icelandic, and two German variants. The older German version, that by the Swabian nobleman Hartmann von Aue, won instant popularity and became a model of form, style, and language for the many courtly epics which his countrymen composed up to the beginning of the modern period. In recent years, his Iwein has enjoyed a remarkable revival among medieval scholars as traditional interpretations have been challenged by new ones.