"[2] The tale was originally published by author Karl Mullenhoff with the title Jungfer Maleen, in the fourth book of his compilation of German legends and folktales.

[3] Once there was a princess named Maid Maleen who fell in love with a prince, but her father refused his suit.

When they finally managed to break free of the tower, they found the kingdom destroyed and the king long gone from since.

The prince, who left the wedding chamber to look for his true bride, was guided by the shine of the golden necklace and came in time to save her.

With the golden necklace as the proof of marriage, they were married, the princess was executed for her wickedness and the prince and Maleen lived happily ever after with laughter in their hearts.

[10] Further studies by Hans-Jörg Uther and Waldemar Liungman confirm Thompson's assessment, since the tale can be found in Norway (with the title Kongsdatteren i haugen, or "The King's Daughter in the Mound"),[11] Iceland, Sweden and Finland, as well as in northwest Germany.

[14] The motif of the tower imprisonment, as in Rapunzel, is here only as a prison, and while they work in a kitchen, as in Catskin or Katie Woodencloak, the contempt springs only from the false bride.