Alcuin (First Name Origin and Meaning)
Teutonic Male
The name means: Noble friend
by
Anna Barnhart
Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Spring 2007

Story: To migrate out of Hamlin and into Eastern Europe through the Knights Entrance and into Saxony, after that into Transylvania. The Teutonic knights had taken over Prussia, which is part of Germany. Alcuin acts as the pied piper in this version.

The Teutonic knights were created during the third crusade, called the order of the Hospital of St. Mary of the Germans of Jerusalem. In 1284 the Teutonic knights invaded the Prussians. Some sources say the conquest ended in 1283. While those specific people called the Prussians no longer exist, they were assimilated into the Germans, Polish and Lithuanians (Urban). In Transylvania there is a place called the Almas Cave in a gorge by the Varghis river, where it was rumored that the pied piper had surfaced with the 130 children, who became the Saxon colonists of Transylvania.

There was a stranger in Hamelin (German spelling). He had so many bold designs in black and white colors on him that the children called him Alcuin (which means noble friend) the Piebald. They were fascinated by the large shield he always carried with him, with its white charge (background on a coat of arms) and the black lines quartering it.

Now one little boy, named Samuel, thought this man was very kind because he found a very clever way of vermin control, and was very clever with his flute, although he was strict and never spoke to him about what he and the boys parents were talking about. But in fact the little boy snuck in one night while they were talking very quietly around an old lantern.

This whole country of Prussia will be taken over; the knight whispered. The knights of the Teutonic order do not take their orders lightly and are on their way over here. Now, I could be killed for doing this, but I want to take a few of you with me to a refuge we created in Transylvania.

The boys parents looked at each other, worried.

There is a river and a gorge there that will lead you to a new place to settle. This war is too violent for your children. My order of the Hospital of St. Mary of the Germans of Jerusalem may have forgotten our original purpose, to serve the poor. They have become very violent, feared and hated by all. But I am here to help. Why else would I take a vow of poverty, chastity and obedience? That is why I learned to read and saw what the Holy Book said for myself. I am afraid he paused, that there are few in this century that dare question some one elses interpretation of well, I stray too far. What do you think of taking the children? (author's note: A reference to Martin Luther, born 1843, a hundred years after this, and Johannes Gutenberg, the first person to translate the bible into a laymans language, printing it around 1450. This time, it was German. Until then, only priests and monks could read the Bible, which was in Latin.)

Does this mean only us and our children, or the whole town? Samuel's mother asked, as all concerned mothers do.

Well, that depends. I think it might be wise for some of the men to stay behind and fight off the other Teutonic knights as long as they can. I dont know how long that will hold, but maybe your children will not have to call themselves, well, by our name. he replied. Herr Stout, what do you think?

I think very much that I want to stay behind. This is my fatherland I cannot let it go so easily. Samuels fathers voice grated out through his teeth. But do I have the courage to let my children to go on with out me? he sucked in his breath.

Nien, Hector, I will not let you stay here all alone, Samuels mother said, leaning across the wooden plank table.

Then let the children go on without you. Alcuin said. They both turned to look at him. I will take them myself.

What about the others? There are a lot more children in this town than my six. Hector stout asked.

I will take them too.

Will they be found? Will they be safe?

I will take them along the Varghis River. There is a gorge there were they will be easily hidden.

All by yourself? Mary Stout wondered.

They are entertained by music, are they not? I am not merely a knight, Frau Stout, but a monk as well. I have entertained children before.

Why is it you are out here by yourself, and not in a cloister? Herr Stout was apprehensive. His eyes narrowed as he glared at Alcuin.

Herr Stout, some things are better left with intrigue. We must make arrangements for the others. How many kinder are there?

One hundred and thirty.

Then gather them together, we will leave in June.