Erlking

forest-spirit · Germany · Germanic

Malevolent ELF-King from Germanic folklore. Name: German 'Erlkönig' = 'Alder-King' (NOT 'elf' - mistranslation from Danish 'elverkonge' = 'elf-king'). Origin: Johann Gottfried Herder adapted Danish folk ballad 'Elveskud' (Elves' Shot) into German as 'Erlkönigs Tochter' (Erl-King's Daughter). Goethe then created his famous 1782 ballad where the antagonist IS the Erlking himself (changed from original daughter). Danish Original: elverkongens datter (elf-king's daughter) - female spirit who tempts nobleman, strikes him when refused. Goethe'S Version: Father rides with feverish son at night. Child

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