Tradition: German Mythology
Alternative Names: Hinzelman, Hinzelmann
Category: House dweller
The Myth
Hinzelmann is a restless little spirit who once haunted Hudemühlen Castle in northern Germany, on the banks of the River Aller. At night, he roamed the castle’s floors, stairs, chambers, and halls, tormenting the maids, frightening the servants, and teasing the household with all kinds of mischief. Although troublesome to most of the people living in the castle, he showed remarkable kindness and loyalty toward two particular inhabitants: the knight’s two most beautiful sisters.
Hinzelmann served the sisters faithfully and sometimes even slept at their feet. His devotion, however, had an unfortunate consequence. Whenever the sisters attracted suitors, the spirit drove the men away, preventing either woman from marrying. Despite his apparent affection for them, Hinzelmann’s interference kept the sisters unmarried and made him a disruptive presence within the household.
Eventually, the lord of the castle managed to catch the little spirit and questioned him about his origins. Hinzelmann held his red cap in his hands as he answered. He explained that he came from Bohemia, where he had been driven away, and added that his mother had been a good Christian. He also revealed that he had a wife named Hillebiegel, who still lived in the Bohemian Forest.
Hinzelmann’s confession connects the mischievous spirit of a northern German castle with the folklore of Bohemia and the Bohemian Forest. Despite his troublesome behaviour, he is presented as a being with a personal history, family relationships, and attachments of his own. His story portrays a domestic spirit who could be both faithfully protective and frustratingly disruptive, depending on whom he chose to favour.
Sources
“Der Landsmann.” SAGEN.at – Böhmerwaldsagen. Reproduced by SAGEN.at. https://www.sagen.at/texte/sagen/tschechien/watzlik/landsmann.html