I had no idea there was really a person by that name. (Or using it as a pen name?) But there was. He wrote a (probably fictional) autobiography in verse that was largely about him courting ladies and jousting, sometimes in a dress. (Seriously!) Apparently, he lived in the early-to-mid 13th century.
Sounds like his autobiography hasn’t seen much publication in modern times: the book listed a German one in 1812 (he was from Styria, a place in Austria) and a “condensed” English one in 1969.
If I had more time, I would look to see if I could find a copy. I bet it’s a really interesting read.
(Speaking of interesting reads, I was disappointed by the ending of “Achilles in Petticoats.” After Odysseus reveals Achilles’ secret, there’s no “wait, that’s a guy I was hitting on?!” moment for any of his admirers, just an “oh, so that’s why ‘she’ was so close to Deidamia!” moment, followed by the promise of an o’er-hasty marriage prior to his departure for Troy. Very dull when compared to the comedy that preceded it. I am totally writing an updated version, only mine is going to add Patroclos, and hopefully maintain the same tone throughout. (To assert that it will be funny throughout would be overweening confidence, I fear…) But I’ll keep some of the narrative devices that were not a feature of the classical myth, like Lycomedes developing a passion for the “girl” left in his care…)
