The "Rosengarten zu Worms" and its analogues

The Rosenqarten zu Worms, a Middle High German Dietrichepos, is unique in the area of Middle High German literature, in that it is the only work to combine two very different motifs the rosegarden and single combat between the Germanic heroes Dietrich and Siegfried.

The two major versions of the Rosengarten zu Worms were analyzed in comparison with three analogous works: Laurin, Biterolf and Thidrekssaga. Comparisons and contrasts were made on the basis of the following criteria: characters, designations, motifs and topoi which appear in two or more of the works in question. Passages showing similarities were taken from two or more of the works as well, and analyzed in order to determine what connections might exist between these works. The purpose of this investigation was an attempt to provide a possible answer as to the origin of the Rosengarten zu Worms, a problem which remains unsolved by scholars' previous studies.

The results showed a highly probably connection between one of the major versions of the Rosengarten zu Worms and Laurin. In the past this connection has been denied by scholars. These results brought forth the conclusion that an earlier form or version of the Rosengarten zu Worms existed. Also concluded was that the earlier version of the Rosengarten zu Worms used Laurin as a source, or that both of these works were derived from the same source, which has been lost.