Johan ûz dem Virgiere

Johan ûz dem Virgiere, a Middle High German verse epic of some 3, 000 lines written by an unknown hand (probably from Rhenish Hesse) in the second half of the 14th c. It is an adaptation of a Flemish poem. It tells of a handsome child discovered by the Emperor Sigemunt in his garden. Brought up as a knight, he distinguishes himself in battle and proves to be the son of the Count of Artois. In the end he receives the hand of the Emperor's daughter and himself becomes emperor.