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Neophilologus (2007) 91:243259 Springer 2007 DOI 10.1007/s11061-006-9010-3
DIETRICH VON BERN: GERMANIC HERO OR MEDIEVAL KING? ON THE SOURCES OF DIETRICHS FLUCHT
AND RABENSCHLACHT
NORBERT VOORWINDEN
R. v. Rijnlaan 20, 2343 SV, Oegstgeest, The Netherlands
Abstract
The so-called historical Dietrich epics Dietrichs Flucht and Rabenschlacht, composed in the 13th century, are generally considered to relate stories about Theodoric the Great, King of Italy from 493 till 526, based either on an oral tradition of more than six hundred years or on written sources such as chronicles. An analysis of the texts, however, shows that many of the geographical names occurring in the poems and many of the events described rather seem to reect the political situation during the reign of Emperor Frederic II (12121250).
Introduction
Dietrichs Flucht and Rabenschlacht are the two most important poems of the so-called historical Dietrich epics.1 They were written in the second half of the 13th century and pretend to recount the story of Dietrich von Bern who may be identied with the Ostrogoth Theodoric the Great, King of Italy between 493 and 526. In Dietrichs Flucht Dietrichs uncle Ermrich invades his kingdom, which comprises Lombardy, Istria, Friuli, and the Inn Valley. In spite of his victory in a battle at Milan Dietrich abandons his realm to Ermrich to save the lives of seven of his men captured by the enemy and takes refuge with King Etzel of the Huns. He twice returns to Italy and defeats Ermrich in battles near Milan, Ravenna and Bologna, with armies supplied by Etzel, but withdraws after every victory to King Etzels court. In Rabenschlacht Dietrich once more leads an army supplied by Etzel into Italy and puts Ermrich to ght at the battle of Ravenna. In the course of this battle Dietrichs brother Diether and the two sons of Etzel are killed by the traitor Witege. Dietrich beheads the knight in whose charge he had left the young princes and pursues Witege, who escapes by riding into the sea. Etzel and his queen, Helche, on Rudigers intercession, forgive
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Norbert Voorwinden
Dietrich the loss of their sons. Dietrich stays at King Etzels court and has, in spite of three victories, still not succeeded in recovering his kingdom.2
These works are called historical because they...