The Fleece of the Ram

Abstract

The fairy tale tradition of Cinderella in folklore (ATU 510) and the medieval Breton fabliau of a magic chastity-testing cloak, known as Le Mantel mautaillié (The Ill-fitting Cloak), and its various analogues, do not seem to have much in common at first. However, both the tale type and the medieval narrative contain an intriguing episode about an item of clothing – a delicate slipper, or a magic cloak – which perfectly fits only one particular woman. This article will show that Icelandic medieval literature and modern fairy tales sharing the image of a colourful fleeced ram are at the crossroads of Cinderella and the mantle tradition, and will help bring them into mutual illumination.