Iwein

Iwein, a Middle High German Arthurian epic poem of some 8, 000 lines, written by Hartmann von Aue. It is probably Hartmann's last work, and was written c.1200, being completed by 1203. Its source is Le Chevalier au Lion by Chrétien de Troyes. The knight Iwein hears of a dangerous adventure experienced by Sir Kalogreant at a magic well. He goes there, simply for the sake of adventure, is successful in defeating the knight defending the well, and pursues him to his castle. The knight dies, but Iwein is trapped in the castle and in great danger, from which he is rescued by Lunete, a lady-in-waiting, who gives him a ring making him invisible. The unseen Iwein is seized with love for the dead knight's widow Laudine, and with Lunete's help quickly wins her hand.

King Arthur and his knights come to Iwein's castle, and Sir Gawain reminds Iwein that he should not remain with his wife in unknightly sloth. Accordingly Iwein obtains Laudine's leave on condition that he returns a year later. But Iwein forgets the day of his return, and Lunete appears at Arthur's court, upbraids Iwein, and demands the return of Laudine's ring. Iwein is rendered insane by the shock and lives as a wild man in the woods. From this state he is restored with the aid of a magic salve administered by a passing lady. He then embarks on a series of adventures, the first of which is the rescue of his benefactress. He rescues a lion from a dragon and the lion is henceforth his faithful companion. Other adventures include the rescue of Lunete, imprisoned and threatened with execution. Eventually Iwein is drawn by his longing for Laudine to revisit the well, and he and his wife are reconciled.

Iwein, formally the most perfect of Hartmann's works, was one of the most popular medieval epics, and is preserved in twenty-five MSS., of which fifteen are complete. The 7th edition of the text by G. F. Benecke, K. Lachmann, and L. Wolff with translation by Th. Cramer appeared in 1981.