Legends -- France; Legends -- Germany; Legends -- Rhine River Valley
At length, however, Henry V, under pressure from his princes and nobles,
gave orders that his father's remains be conveyed to Speyer and there
interred in the royal vault with such honours as befitted the obsequies
of a monarch. The messengers found old Kurt still holding his vigil
beside the Emperor's body, and in recognition of his faithfulness he
was permitted to follow the funeral cortege to Speyer. There were in
the town certain good and pious folk who were touched by the servant's
devotion, and by these he was kindly treated. But all their kindness
and attention could not repair the havoc which his weary vigil and long
privations had wrought on his health, and a few months later he followed
his master to the grave.
Strange to relate, as he expired all the bells of Speyer tolled out a
funeral peal such as was accorded to an emperor, and that without being
touched by human hands. Meanwhile Henry V also lay dying. All the
luxury of his palace could not soothe his last moments; though he was
surrounded by courtiers who assumed sorrow and walked softly, and though
all his kindred were around him, he saw ever before him the image of his
dead father, pointing at him with a grim, accusing finger. Stricken with
terror and remorse, and tortured by disease, he longed for death to end
his torments, and at last it came.
Again the passing bell was tolled by invisible hands, but not this time
the peal which announced the passing of an emperor. The citizens heard
the awful sound which told that a criminal had paid the law's last
penalty, and asked one another what poor wretch had been executed. Awe
and astonishment seized upon everyone when it was known that the Emperor
had died, for they knew then that it was no earthly hand that had rung
his death-knell.
Legends of Windeck
Concerning the neighbourhood of Windeck, some eight miles from Baden,
several interesting tales are current. The castle itself has long
enjoyed the reputation of being haunted by the ghost of a beautiful
girl, though when or wherefore this originated tradition does not
relate. We are told that a young huntsman, whom the chase had driven
thitherward, saw the spectre and was so stricken with her charms that
day after day he visited the castle, hoping to see her once more. But
being disappointed, he at length took up his solitary abode in the
deserted fortress, renouncing his former pursuits and ceasing from all
communication with his friends.
One day he was found dead in his bed with so peaceful an expression of
countenance that those who saw him could not doubt that his end had been
a pleasant one. On his finger was a ring of quaint design which he had
not been known to wear, and it was whispered among the peasantry that
the ghost-maid of Windeck had claimed her lover.
The Hennegraben
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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