Herzog Ernst
Encyclopedia
Herzog Ernst is a German epic
from the early high Middle Ages
(c. 1180), first written down by an anonymous author from the Rhein region.
n duke (Herzog Ernst) and his stepfather Kaiser Otto I. The story is split into two parts:
(born 1007) against his stepfather King Konrad II in 1026-1027
This story was very popular in the Middle Ages in Germany, as evidenced by the number of manuscripts that have been found in a wide range of places. It was popular due to its fantastical descriptions of the Orient and far away lands (a popular topic due to the Second Crusade
), and also its introduction of the concept of chivalry
.
Herzog Ernst is usually grouped under the heading 'Spielmannsdichtung
' or 'Spielmannsepos'. This term is used to describe a handful of other manuscripts of the time, due to the assumption that they were written and told by Spielmänner (a kind of jester). However, this term has recently been disputed, as these works are considered too complex to have been written by Spielmänner, who are generally thought to have been uneducated.
Epic poetry
An epic is a lengthy narrative poem, ordinarily concerning a serious subject containing details of heroic deeds and events significant to a culture or nation. Oral poetry may qualify as an epic, and Albert Lord and Milman Parry have argued that classical epics were fundamentally an oral poetic form...
from the early high Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
(c. 1180), first written down by an anonymous author from the Rhein region.
Story
The main theme of the story is an argument between a BavariaBavaria
Bavaria, formally the Free State of Bavaria is a state of Germany, located in the southeast of Germany. With an area of , it is the largest state by area, forming almost 20% of the total land area of Germany...
n duke (Herzog Ernst) and his stepfather Kaiser Otto I. The story is split into two parts:
- Ernst becomes a HerzogHerzog (name)Herzog is a German hereditary title held by one who rules a territorial duchy, exercises feudal authority over an estate called a duchy, or possesses a right, by law or tradition, to be referred to by the ducal title. The word is usually translated by the English duke and the Latin Dux. Generally,...
and, as a result of the malicious scheming of the Kaiser's uncle, Pfalzgraf Heinrich, is outlawed. - Herzog Ernst travels through the OrientOrientThe Orient means "the East." It is a traditional designation for anything that belongs to the Eastern world or the Far East, in relation to Europe. In English it is a metonym that means various parts of Asia.- Derivation :...
in search of the Holy Grave. He encounters wonderful things, for example, creatures with human bodies and bird's heads. Eventually, he decides to return home and tricks the Kaiser into forgiving him.
Historical Context
The epic blends together two historical events: an argument between Herzog Liudolf and his father Otto I in 953-954; and the rebellion of Herzog Ernst II from SwabiaSwabia
Swabia is a cultural, historic and linguistic region in southwestern Germany.-Geography:Like many cultural regions of Europe, Swabia's borders are not clearly defined...
(born 1007) against his stepfather King Konrad II in 1026-1027
This story was very popular in the Middle Ages in Germany, as evidenced by the number of manuscripts that have been found in a wide range of places. It was popular due to its fantastical descriptions of the Orient and far away lands (a popular topic due to the Second Crusade
Second Crusade
The Second Crusade was the second major crusade launched from Europe. The Second Crusade was started in response to the fall of the County of Edessa the previous year to the forces of Zengi. The county had been founded during the First Crusade by Baldwin of Boulogne in 1098...
), and also its introduction of the concept of chivalry
Chivalry
Chivalry is a term related to the medieval institution of knighthood which has an aristocratic military origin of individual training and service to others. Chivalry was also the term used to refer to a group of mounted men-at-arms as well as to martial valour...
.
Herzog Ernst is usually grouped under the heading 'Spielmannsdichtung
Spielmannsdichtung
Spielmannsdichtung or Spielmannsepik is a genre, now generally deprecated, of Middle High German literature, specifically the lyric poetry or epic of wandering minstrels of the twelfth century...
' or 'Spielmannsepos'. This term is used to describe a handful of other manuscripts of the time, due to the assumption that they were written and told by Spielmänner (a kind of jester). However, this term has recently been disputed, as these works are considered too complex to have been written by Spielmänner, who are generally thought to have been uneducated.
Other works
The following were also produced around this period:- König Rother (c 1160)
- Rolandslied (c 1135)
- Alexanderlied (c 1130)
- Reindhardt Fuchs (c 1170)