"Hans von Trotha was about 2 meters (6.5 ft) tall and even by today's standards would have been an imposing figure. He became a local legend in the Palatinate region under the popular, corrupted name of "Hans Trapp", or occasionally "Hans Trott". He was not only described later as a robber baron, but over the course of time became portrayed as figure of terror for children who, as the "Black Knight" (schwarzer Ritter), was a restless spirit who stalked through the Wasgau at night."
  -Hans von Trotha, Wikipedia