Description
Book SynopsisNew edition, with facing English translation, of one of the most important Arthurian works from the middle ages. 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, Chrétien 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.
Trade ReviewThe translation reads smoothly and can easily be recommended to someone new to Hartmann. * FABULA *
[A] very impressive achievement. . . . Scholars, teachers, and students alike can make use of this wellbound tome, with its select bibliography and index of persons and places. Highly recommended. * CHOICE *
[T]he edition is complete, the translation effective for analysis in English or comparison with the original text, and the notes illuminating at a basic level for those delving into editions of medieval texts. As the first parallel edition with an English translation, it is a welcome addition to the available resources for MHG texts in anglophone settings. * SPECULUM *
Table of ContentsIntroduction The stranger knight and his dwarf Coralus and Enite The combat for the sparrow-hawk King Arthur's justice after the killing of the white stag and Iders' arrival in Cardigan Erec's last night in his father-in-law's house Enite's reception at King Arthur's court Erec and Enite marry The tournament between Tarebron and Prurin Erec's return home; his sloth Erec's fight with robbers; his harshness to Enite Lady Enite's ruse Guivreiz li Pitiz Erec's encounter with Kay Erec's encounter with Gawein; Morgan le Fay Erec fights with two giants Erec's collapse and Enite's despair Count Oringles in Limors; Erec and Enite reconciled Erec encounters Guivreiz; his sojourn in Penefrec Enite's palfrey Castle Brandigan Joie de la curt and the Red Knight Mabonagrin's tale The eighty widows; return to Arthur's court Erec's homecoming Select Bibliography
