Monster und Fabelwesen des Orients im Herzog Ernst

Abstract

In 12th-century German literature, a number of texts stands out, usually grouped under the heading 'Spielmannsdichtung' or 'Spielmannsepos', and which were characterised by a mixture of heroic, historical, legendary and courtly traits. Among such works is the epic Herzog Ernst (ca. 1180), which – along with other things - contains the story of an adventurous journey of his hero to a fabulous Orient inhabited by wondrous peoples and monstrous creatures. This paper explores how the epos and particularly the episode of the crane-men contribute to the creation of the image of the Orient in medieval German literature.