Summary of the Thidrekssaga

Duke Erik ruled in the town called Wenden, and his sons were Bertram and Reginbald, who became dukes of Wenden after him. Duke Reginbald had a son named Hildebrand, and when he was fifteen years old his father knighted him.

Duke Bertram had a son called Reginbald, and his son was Sintram, who we'll talk about later106.

When Hildebrand was thirty yearsnot 'winters'; er þrítugr at aldri old he told his father that he wanted to get to know the customs of strange men, and he couldn't gain fame if he stayed here in WendenA adds: or ride to Svava to eat with the warriors.

The duke asked where he wanted to go, and Hildebrand said he wanted to go to king Dietmar of Bern. He armed himself and rode with twelve knights to Bern. The king received him well and asked him to stay there. And Hildebrand accepted, and the king set him next to himsomething like: made him a principal counsellor?. And Hildebrand stayed with king Dietmar for a long time, as this saga will show.

Dietrich, king Dietmar's son, was seven winters old when Hildebrand set him next to him and became his teacher until he was fifteen winters old. And he was a chief over the knights at court. And the two loved one another so much as no two men have done, except for David and Jonathan.

They dismounted and walked to the river. But Witig had heard them quite clearly and called: Allowe me to come to land unharmed and I'll show you I'm not a dwarf. And they allowed him, and Witig jumped from the river, and he covered nine feet in one jump. Then Hildebrand asked who he was, and Witig said: If you're a good hero, do you ask such questions of a naked man? Let me first find my clothes and weapons, and then you can ask.

Witig clothed and armed himself, mounted his horse, and rode to the three. Good sirs knight, he said, God help me, I'd name all of you by name if I but knew them. But ask me anything you like. Hildebrand asked for his name and what he was doing here traveling alone. And Witig said he was a Dane named Witig, and his father was Wieland the Smith, and his mother was daughter to king Nidung of Jutland, and he was traveling to Dietrich Dietmar's son to challenge him to a duel.

When Hildebrand saw how strong this man was, and how well-made his weapons and armour were, he understood his lord Dietrich would come to great danger if he fought against this man, and he wasn't sure who would win. Therefore he joyously replied: Thank God I finally found a man courageous enough to swing his sword against Dietrich, and I hope you will win, because Dietrich thinks no one is braver and stronger than he. Come, now let's swear brotherhood, that we will help one another when we need it most.

Witig said he felt Hildebrand was a noble man, and he would love to swear brotherhood, but he'd first liked to know their names. And Hildebrand said he was Voltram son of Reginbald, jarl of Wenden, and here is Sintram Herbrand's son, and the third is jarl Hornboge of Vindland. Now Witig and Hildebrand held hands and swore brotherhood. And Hildebrand knew where the ford was, and they rode over it and continued.

Thus the man was freed from the dragon. The man thanked them, and asked if he could get his sword back from FasoldThe man knows his name. Dietrich asked who he was, and he said he was Sintram son of Reginbald, jarl of Wenden, and he was traveling to his relative Hildebrand and his foster son Dietrich von Bern. He had stopped to rest here when the dragon captured him.

Dietrich told him he could keep his sword and had found Dietrich von Bern.

Again Ermenrik and Sibich took consel together, and Sibich said that it annoyed him the king of Angland didn't pay tribute. Maybe it would be a good idea to send Ermenrik's son Reginbald there with many knights to demand it. Also, Ermenrik should have a ship made ready for this expedition, because this would cost only half as muchThis remark is unclear to me, and it could be used to transport the tribute as well. The king liked this counsel, called his son and gave him the orders.

Now Reginbald went to where ships were moored in the streamriver?, and Sibich went with him. Reginbald demanded the best ship, but Sibich said the king needed it for himself, and instead gave him the worst ship, which would be sufficient for the trip. Reginbald refused, but Sibich told him his father would be angry if he returned without having gone on his journey. Reginbald gave in and departed on the worst ship, but when he came to sea a rainstorm sank it, and Reginbald drowned with all his men.

One day king Ermenrik went hunting with his youngest son Samson and his counselor Sibich, but Sibich was displeased, and the king asked him why. Sibich replied that the king's son Samson had done him great dishonour by desiring his daughter, and this dishonour was never avenged, unless the king would do it.

This made king Ermenrik very angry at his son Samson, and he grappled him angrily by his hair, so that Samson fell from his horse. Then the king had his horse trample his son, and rode home.

And that night the king heard that his son Reginbald had drowned, and thus he had lost all his sons thanks to Sibich's treason.