Laurin

Laurin, an anonymous Middle High German heroic epic, set in Tyrol and existing in several versions written probably in the second half of the 13th c. The best is known as Laurin A.

Dietrich von Bern (see Dietrichsage) learns from his henchman Witege of the physical prowess of the dwarf Laurin (laur=cunning), who fiercely defends his rose garden against all intrusion. Dietrich, accompanied by Witege and Dietleib, sets forth to prove his superiority. Witege is defeated by the diminutive Laurin, whose strength is derived from a magic girdle, which Dietrich succeeds in cutting, whereupon Laurin is easily overpowered. Laurin reveals, however, that he has married Dietleib's sister Künolt and invites all to a feast in his palace. He dopes the wine and, when his guests sink into a torpor, imprisons them. They are rescued by Künolt with the aid of a magic ring, and Laurin is carried off to Bern (Verona), where he is baptized and becomes a thane of Dietrich. Rose Garden (Rosengarten) is a place-name in Tyrol, which alludes to the sunset glow (Alpenglühen).

The poem was edited by G. Holz in 1897.