| Grimm..... and Grimmer |
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm were above all else scholars. They began their work at a time when
Germany was divided into many tiny principalities and duchies, many overrun by the French under
Napoleon, who sometimes suppressed the local culture. This troubled the brothers Grimm, and they
undertook a folk tale collection to preserve the endangered oral tradition of Germany as the single
major unifying factor for the Germans at that time was a common language.
Germany was divided into many tiny principalities and duchies, many overrun by the French under
Napoleon, who sometimes suppressed the local culture. This troubled the brothers Grimm, and they
undertook a folk tale collection to preserve the endangered oral tradition of Germany as the single
major unifying factor for the Germans at that time was a common language.
Jakob Grimm and Wilhelm Grimm were born in 1785 and 1786, respectively, in Hanau, the sons of
Philipp Wilhelm Grimm, a lawyer and court official, and his wife Dorothea Zimmer. They were
educated in Kassel and they both read for the law at the University of Marburg.
Philipp Wilhelm Grimm, a lawyer and court official, and his wife Dorothea Zimmer. They were
educated in Kassel and they both read for the law at the University of Marburg.
In 1812, the Grimm brothers published volume one
of Kinder und Hausmärchen which contained 86
numbered folktales, followed by volume two, adding
70 more stories. By the time of its final version, it
contained 200 numbered stories and it became the
best known German language book ever created.
of Kinder und Hausmärchen which contained 86
numbered folktales, followed by volume two, adding
70 more stories. By the time of its final version, it
contained 200 numbered stories and it became the
best known German language book ever created.
The folk tales that the Grimms collected had not originally been considered children's stories. The
brothers tried to keep the stories in a form as close as possible historically to the original mode. In the
original 'Snow White,' for instance, the evil stepmother is forced to dance in red hot iron shoes until
she collapses and dies. Other characters are stripped, tortured, and thrown in nail studded barrels.
Doves peck out the eyes of Cinderella's stepsisters, and in 'The Juniper Tree' a woman decapitates
her stepson.
brothers tried to keep the stories in a form as close as possible historically to the original mode. In the
original 'Snow White,' for instance, the evil stepmother is forced to dance in red hot iron shoes until
she collapses and dies. Other characters are stripped, tortured, and thrown in nail studded barrels.
Doves peck out the eyes of Cinderella's stepsisters, and in 'The Juniper Tree' a woman decapitates
her stepson.
When the Brothers Grimm lived in Kassel, they collected and wrote most of their folk tales shortly
before Napoleon annexed it in 1807, and it became the capital of the Kingdom of Westphalia under
Napoleon's brother Jerome. Next, it was annexed by Prussia in 1866, and soon Kassel ceased to be a
princely residence.
before Napoleon annexed it in 1807, and it became the capital of the Kingdom of Westphalia under
Napoleon's brother Jerome. Next, it was annexed by Prussia in 1866, and soon Kassel ceased to be a
princely residence.
The works of the Brothers Grimm were among the thousands of German books banned and burned by the Allies after
World War Two during the "re-education process" which destroyed literature of a "violent" nature in an effort to tame the
Germans. Previously, on the night of October 22, 1943, British bombers destroyed 90% of the ancient city center of
Kassel, the place where the Grimms lived as adults, in a gruesome firebombing that incinerated over 10,000 civilians.
Their birthplace did not fare much better: Hanau, just east of Frankfurt and first mentioned in the year 1143, was
unnecessarily destroyed by British airstrikes on March 19, 1945, a mere few days before it was inevitably taken by the
US Army. 85% of the city was blown up. Violently.
World War Two during the "re-education process" which destroyed literature of a "violent" nature in an effort to tame the
Germans. Previously, on the night of October 22, 1943, British bombers destroyed 90% of the ancient city center of
Kassel, the place where the Grimms lived as adults, in a gruesome firebombing that incinerated over 10,000 civilians.
Their birthplace did not fare much better: Hanau, just east of Frankfurt and first mentioned in the year 1143, was
unnecessarily destroyed by British airstrikes on March 19, 1945, a mere few days before it was inevitably taken by the
US Army. 85% of the city was blown up. Violently.
In 1808, when their widowed mother suddenly died, Jacob took a position as a librarian at Kassel to
support the remaining family of nine other siblings, and Wilhelm followed suit. In 1818, the Grimms
published two volumes of Deutsche Sagen, a collection of 585 German legends. Their deep scholarly
work on linguistics, folklore, and medieval studies continued. Forty individuals delivered tales to the
Grimms, their most important sources including Dorothea Viehmann, the daughter of an innkeeper,
Johann Friedrich Krause, an old dragoon, and Marie Hassenpflug, a friend of their sister Charlotte.
support the remaining family of nine other siblings, and Wilhelm followed suit. In 1818, the Grimms
published two volumes of Deutsche Sagen, a collection of 585 German legends. Their deep scholarly
work on linguistics, folklore, and medieval studies continued. Forty individuals delivered tales to the
Grimms, their most important sources including Dorothea Viehmann, the daughter of an innkeeper,
Johann Friedrich Krause, an old dragoon, and Marie Hassenpflug, a friend of their sister Charlotte.
In 1825, Wilhelm Grimm married Henriette Dorothea (Dortchen) Wild, the daughter of a pharmacist
and a prominent source of fairy tales for their collection, but Jacob was a lifelong bachelor. The
Grimms resigned their positions as librarians in Kassel in 1829-1830 and accepted positions at the
University of Göttingen as librarians and professors. The brothers joined five of their colleagues in a
group later known as Die Göttinger Sieben (The Göttingen Seven) at the University of Göttingen
from 1837 until 1841 in a protest against the abolition of the liberal constitution of the state of
Hanover by King Ernest Augustus I of Hanover. The professors were all fired, including the Grimms.
and a prominent source of fairy tales for their collection, but Jacob was a lifelong bachelor. The
Grimms resigned their positions as librarians in Kassel in 1829-1830 and accepted positions at the
University of Göttingen as librarians and professors. The brothers joined five of their colleagues in a
group later known as Die Göttinger Sieben (The Göttingen Seven) at the University of Göttingen
from 1837 until 1841 in a protest against the abolition of the liberal constitution of the state of
Hanover by King Ernest Augustus I of Hanover. The professors were all fired, including the Grimms.
They accepted appointments at the University of Berlin and remained there until 1848 and 1852
when they left to complete their own studies and research. The Grimms helped sway nationwide
democratic public opinion in Germany and are respected as being inspirational to the German
democratic movement which resulted in the revolution of 1848. Wilhelm Grimm died December 16,
1859, at the age of 73, and Jacob on September 20, 1863, at age 78. They are buried in Berlin.
when they left to complete their own studies and research. The Grimms helped sway nationwide
democratic public opinion in Germany and are respected as being inspirational to the German
democratic movement which resulted in the revolution of 1848. Wilhelm Grimm died December 16,
1859, at the age of 73, and Jacob on September 20, 1863, at age 78. They are buried in Berlin.
Less famous outside of Germany is the Grimm work on a German dictionary, the Deutsches
Wörterbuch. Indeed, the Deutsches Wörterbuch was the first major step in creating a standardized
"modern" German language since the Bible was translated from Latin to German by Martin Luther.
Between them, the Grimms brothers published more than 35 books.
Wörterbuch. Indeed, the Deutsches Wörterbuch was the first major step in creating a standardized
"modern" German language since the Bible was translated from Latin to German by Martin Luther.
Between them, the Grimms brothers published more than 35 books.
In 'Hansel and Gretel' the witch ends baking alive up in the oven. In Snow
White alone, one finds cannibalism, hanging, stabbing, strangulation and
poisoning, not too far off from today's news stories. These gruesome
punishments inflicted on the Grimm villains caused some discomfort toward
the stories. The Brothers initially refused even to consider illustrations,
instead preferring scholarly footnotes. Later, when they realized that
children were actually reading them, they often rewrote versions considered
appropriate for the time, especially when the folk tales often could be quite
sexually explicit.. Rapunzel really did let down her hair!
White alone, one finds cannibalism, hanging, stabbing, strangulation and
poisoning, not too far off from today's news stories. These gruesome
punishments inflicted on the Grimm villains caused some discomfort toward
the stories. The Brothers initially refused even to consider illustrations,
instead preferring scholarly footnotes. Later, when they realized that
children were actually reading them, they often rewrote versions considered
appropriate for the time, especially when the folk tales often could be quite
sexually explicit.. Rapunzel really did let down her hair!
The famous medieval folk tale of "Der Rattenfänger von Hameln" a.k.a. made famous by the
Brothers Grimm may be based on a true 13th century event.
Brothers Grimm may be based on a true 13th century event.
The 14th century Decan Lude chorus book, c.1384, contains a Latin verse from an eyewitness
account of the event taken from the author's grandmother. The Lueneburg manuscript (c. 1440–50)
seems to give the oldest surviving account of the story:
account of the event taken from the author's grandmother. The Lueneburg manuscript (c. 1440–50)
seems to give the oldest surviving account of the story:
There are a myriad versions of the Pied Piper, the most
popular being the following: In 1284, Hameln had an
infestation of rats, and a colorfully dressed man arrived in
town who claimed to be a rat-catcher. The townsmen
promised to pay him for the removal of the rats and so he
played a musical pipe which lured the rats into the River
where they all drowned. But the people reneged on their
part of the bargain and refused to pay him, driving him
away instead. Seeking revenge, he later returned and while
the villagers were in church, he played his pipe again, this
time attracting one hundred and thirty children who
followed him out of the village, never to be seen again.
popular being the following: In 1284, Hameln had an
infestation of rats, and a colorfully dressed man arrived in
town who claimed to be a rat-catcher. The townsmen
promised to pay him for the removal of the rats and so he
played a musical pipe which lured the rats into the River
where they all drowned. But the people reneged on their
part of the bargain and refused to pay him, driving him
away instead. Seeking revenge, he later returned and while
the villagers were in church, he played his pipe again, this
time attracting one hundred and thirty children who
followed him out of the village, never to be seen again.
The "Pied Piper's house" in Hameln, left. The Pied Piper
did not live in this house. It is called that because of an
inscription on its side claiming to be where the Hamelin
Children were lured away from on June 16, 1284. The
oldest picture of Pied Piper is a watercolor painting by
Freiherr Augustin von Moersperg copied from the original
glass window of Marktkirche in Hamelin which has since
been replaced. left below.
did not live in this house. It is called that because of an
inscription on its side claiming to be where the Hamelin
Children were lured away from on June 16, 1284. The
oldest picture of Pied Piper is a watercolor painting by
Freiherr Augustin von Moersperg copied from the original
glass window of Marktkirche in Hamelin which has since
been replaced. left below.
In the year 1284 a mysterious man appeared in Hameln. He was wearing a coat of many colored, bright cloth, for which
reason he was called the Pied Piper. He claimed to be a rat catcher, and he promised that for a certain sum that he would
rid the city of all mice and rats. The citizens struck a deal, promising him a certain price. The rat catcher then took a small
fife from his pocket and began to blow on it. Rats and mice immediately came from every house and gathered around him.
When he thought that he had them all he led them to the River Weser where he pulled up his clothes and walked into the
water. The animals all followed him, fell in, and drowned.
Now that the citizens had been freed of their plague, they regretted having promised so much money, and, using all kinds
of excuses, they refused to pay him. Finally he went away, bitter and angry. He returned on June 26, Saint John's and
Saint Paul's Day, early in the morning at seven o'clock (others say it was at noon), now dressed in a hunter's costume,
with a dreadful look on his face and wearing a strange red hat. He sounded his fife in the streets, but this time it wasn't rats
and mice that came to him, but rather children: a great number of boys and girls from their fourth year on. Among them
was the mayor's grown daughter. The swarm followed him, and he led them into a mountain, where he disappeared with
them.
All this was seen by a babysitter who, carrying a child in her arms, had followed them from a distance, but had then turned
around and carried the news back to the town. The anxious parents ran in droves to the town gates seeking their children.
The mothers cried out and sobbed pitifully. Within the hour messengers were sent everywhere by water and by land
inquiring if the children -- or any of them -- had been seen, but it was all for naught.
In total, one hundred thirty were lost. Two, as some say, had lagged behind and came back. One of them was blind and
the other mute. The blind one was not able to point out the place, but was able to tell how they had followed the piper.
The mute one was able to point out the place, although he [or she] had heard nothing. One little boy in shirtsleeves had
gone along with the others, but had turned back to fetch his jacket and thus escaped the tragedy, for when he returned,
the others had already disappeared into a cave within a hill. This cave is still shown.
Until the middle of the eighteenth century, and probably still today, the street through which the children were led out to
the town gate was called the bunge-lose (drumless, soundless, quiet) street, because no dancing or music was allowed
there. Indeed, when a bridal procession on its way to church crossed this street, the musicians would have to stop playing.
The mountain near Hameln where the children disappeared is called Poppenberg. Two stone monuments in the form of
crosses have been erected there, one on the left side and one on the right. Some say that the children were led into a
cave, and that they came out again in Transylvania.
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Die Kinder zu Hameln, Deutsche Sagen (1816/1818), vol. 1, no. 245.
reason he was called the Pied Piper. He claimed to be a rat catcher, and he promised that for a certain sum that he would
rid the city of all mice and rats. The citizens struck a deal, promising him a certain price. The rat catcher then took a small
fife from his pocket and began to blow on it. Rats and mice immediately came from every house and gathered around him.
When he thought that he had them all he led them to the River Weser where he pulled up his clothes and walked into the
water. The animals all followed him, fell in, and drowned.
Now that the citizens had been freed of their plague, they regretted having promised so much money, and, using all kinds
of excuses, they refused to pay him. Finally he went away, bitter and angry. He returned on June 26, Saint John's and
Saint Paul's Day, early in the morning at seven o'clock (others say it was at noon), now dressed in a hunter's costume,
with a dreadful look on his face and wearing a strange red hat. He sounded his fife in the streets, but this time it wasn't rats
and mice that came to him, but rather children: a great number of boys and girls from their fourth year on. Among them
was the mayor's grown daughter. The swarm followed him, and he led them into a mountain, where he disappeared with
them.
All this was seen by a babysitter who, carrying a child in her arms, had followed them from a distance, but had then turned
around and carried the news back to the town. The anxious parents ran in droves to the town gates seeking their children.
The mothers cried out and sobbed pitifully. Within the hour messengers were sent everywhere by water and by land
inquiring if the children -- or any of them -- had been seen, but it was all for naught.
In total, one hundred thirty were lost. Two, as some say, had lagged behind and came back. One of them was blind and
the other mute. The blind one was not able to point out the place, but was able to tell how they had followed the piper.
The mute one was able to point out the place, although he [or she] had heard nothing. One little boy in shirtsleeves had
gone along with the others, but had turned back to fetch his jacket and thus escaped the tragedy, for when he returned,
the others had already disappeared into a cave within a hill. This cave is still shown.
Until the middle of the eighteenth century, and probably still today, the street through which the children were led out to
the town gate was called the bunge-lose (drumless, soundless, quiet) street, because no dancing or music was allowed
there. Indeed, when a bridal procession on its way to church crossed this street, the musicians would have to stop playing.
The mountain near Hameln where the children disappeared is called Poppenberg. Two stone monuments in the form of
crosses have been erected there, one on the left side and one on the right. Some say that the children were led into a
cave, and that they came out again in Transylvania.
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Die Kinder zu Hameln, Deutsche Sagen (1816/1818), vol. 1, no. 245.
| The Children of Hameln by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm |
The Grimms assembled from eleven sources the tale, and according to their account two children
were left behind as one was blind and the other lame, and the children who left became the founders
of Siebenbürgen, Transylvania.
were left behind as one was blind and the other lame, and the children who left became the founders
of Siebenbürgen, Transylvania.
Indeed, one predominant theory about the tale is that the Pied Piper was a recruiter for the
colonization of Eastern Europe which took part in the 13th century. With the prevalence of the Black
Plague, the motive to emigrate might have been especially keen. The dates coincide with the early
settlement of Saxon Germans in parts of Transylvania. In respect of the lost children, there was for a
long time a law forbidding singing and music on one particular street, the Bungelosenstrasse adjacent
to the Pied Piper's House, and during public parades and wedding processions which contain music,
the band would stop playing upon reaching this street and resume upon reaching the other side.
colonization of Eastern Europe which took part in the 13th century. With the prevalence of the Black
Plague, the motive to emigrate might have been especially keen. The dates coincide with the early
settlement of Saxon Germans in parts of Transylvania. In respect of the lost children, there was for a
long time a law forbidding singing and music on one particular street, the Bungelosenstrasse adjacent
to the Pied Piper's House, and during public parades and wedding processions which contain music,
the band would stop playing upon reaching this street and resume upon reaching the other side.
| Anno 1284 am dage Johannis et Pauli war der 26. junii Dorch einen piper mit allerlei farve bekledet gewesen CXXX kinder verledet binnen Hamelen geboren to calvarie bi den koppen verloren In the year of 1284, on the day of Saints John and Paul on 26 June 130 children born in Hamelin were seduced By a piper, dressed in all kinds of colors, and lost at the place of execution near the koppen. |