Laurin" (or "Der Kleine Rosengarten"),,1131,2001-01-01 00:00:00.000,2009-10-21 07:37:10.797,9999-12-31 23:59:59.997,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,1G2,139531G2:3403802719,3403802719,"LaVey, Anton (1930-1997)
"Laurin" (or "Der Kleine Rosengarten")
A Tyrolese romance of the late thirteenth century, attached to the saga-cycle of Dietrich of Bern. Laurin, a dwarf, possessed a magic rose-garden into which no one could enter without losing a hand or a foot. Dietrich and his follower Witege entered the garden, and Witege rode through the rose bushes. Laurin appeared on horseback and dismounted Witege. He was challenged by Dietrich and, because he wore his cloak of invisibility, Laurin wounded him.
Dietrich then persuaded him to try a wrestling match, during which he wrenched off Laurin's belt, the source of his superhuman strength. Thus Dietrich overthrew Laurin. Laurin invited Dietrich and his followers to his mountain home, prepared a banquet for them, made them tipsy, and threw them all into a dungeon. They were eventually released by Künhild, a mortal woman, who also returned their weapons. They took Laurin prisoner and carried him to Bern, where he converted to Christianity and received Künhild in marriage.
Sources:
MacDowall, M. W. Epics and Romances of the Middle Ages. London: S. Sonnenschein, 1896.