Summary of the Thidrekssaga

Then Hildebrand his best friend agreed, even though it was unseemly, and king Dietrich should prepare himself, because there was no time for more talk.

And when Hildebrand has spoken the women and children began to wail for their men, sons, and brothers, and fathers, while the knights took their arms and horses. And in that night there were loud sounds from calls and horns, and when all had armed themselves they went into the king's hall, sat there for a while, and drank wine.

Then Heime came to Bern, and told them king Ermenrik was now close by and had 5,000 knights with him, while king Dietrich only had 800. And Heime said that they would leave the castle with dishonour, but king Ermenrik would receive more harm than good from them.

Then Hildebrand took king Dietrich's banner, and told all to follow him. And now they, Hildebrand in front, rode to Langobardenland and Mundia, into Ermenrik's realm, and they burned castles, villages, and farms, before they went north over the mountains.

Dietrich rode northwards over the mountains until he came to the castle named Bakalar that stood on the Rhine, and the mighty margrave Rodinger ruled there. And when Rodinger heard Dietrich was coming he rode out with all his men and his wife Gotelinde. Gotelinde gave Dietrich a banner, half green, half red, and a golden lion on it, and also a purple cloak. Margrave Rodinger gave him a horse and good clothes. Then Dietrich rode into the castle.

Queen Brunhild stood on the rampart and saw king Gunther and Hagen and Gernot ride back to the castle, and also saw they brought Sigfrid dead. She went to them and said they were the luckiest hunters, and asked them to bring the body to Grimhild. She sleeps in her bed, she said, let her now embrace the dead, he has what he deserves now, and so does Grimhild.

They now went to her room, which was locked, and they broke open the door and carried the body inside, and threw it onto the bed into her arms, and she woke up and saw that Sigfrid was in her bed and was dead.

Then Grimhild said to Sigfrid: Your wounds are evil. How did you receive them? Your shield and helmet are untouched, how were you wounded like that? You must be murdered. If I knew who'd done it I'd avenge it.

Hagen said: He was not murdered. We hunted a wild boar, and that boar gave him the fatal wound. And Grimhild said: That boar, that was you, Hagen, and no one else. And she cried bitterly.

Then they went to the hall and were quite happy, and Brunhild was no less happy. But Grimhild called her people and had Sigfrid's body buried.

And when the tale made the rounds that Sigfrid was dead, everyone said that no man like that was in the world any more, nor would ever be born, so strong and brave, and possessed of such noble virtues, and his name would never be forgotten in the German language, nor in the Norse one.A adds: And shortly thereafter Brunhild died. Therefore she could not appear in 427.

Thus king Hertnit gathered a great army. And his wife Ostacia went out and moved her handhrærði sinn gand, which is what weThe audience of the saga, 13th century Norwegians would call casting a spellfæri at seiða, as in the past women who knew magic that we call völur would do. She did so much witchcraft and sorceryfjölkynngi ok trollskap that she summoned all kinds of animals, lions and bears and flying dragons, and tamed them all until they obeyed her and she set them against her enemies. And it is said in German songs that her army was like the EnemySatan, I presume himself. And she herself took the form of a flying dragon.

Now king Hertnit moved his army against king Isung, and when they found one another a severe battle erupted. King Isung and his sons went forward and killed many men, and the army fell for them wherever they came. Elsewhere Detlef the Dane with his men rode forth and also gave many men death, and the Wilkinenmen could not hold before him. And the third army led by Fasold the Proud also fought with great courage this day. The Wilkinenmen fell in this battle as grain being scythed.

One day king Gunther called Osid to a conversation, and Hagen and Gernot were with him. Then duke Osid said: King Attila of Soest sends you his greetings, and wants to marry your sister Grimhild, with as many goods as you care to send himHer dowry; does this mean Gunther can set the dowry himself? and he will be your friend, and before I ride from here I'd like to know your reply.

And king Gunther replied: King Attila is a rich man and a great leader, and if Hagen and Gernot agree, I will not deny him this. And Hagen added: I think we should consider it a great honour that the powerful king Attila takes our sister in wedding; he is the richest and most powerful of kings, and we can also become more powerful. But this matter will have to be laid before her herself; her willtemper? skap is so great that neither king Attila nor anyone else in the world can get her without her will. And Gernot also agreed.

Then king Gunther and Osid went to Grimhild, and king Gunther told her the news and asked her what she thought of marrying Attila. She replied that she did not dare to deny king Attila because he was such a mighty king, and the man who brought her the requestOsid was so respectable that she would gladly agree, provided it was also the counsel of king Gunther her brother. And the king replied he would not refuse the marriage, provided she wanted it as well.

King Gunther and his brothers discussed the matter with duke Osid, and it was decided. Then Osid prepared to depart, and when he was ready king Gunther took a gold-plated shield and helm that had belonged to Sigfrid and gave them to OsidThis is a gift to Osid personally, it seems, and not to Attila. In 400 Dietrich wears the helmet., and they separated as good friends. The duke went home to Hunnenland and told king Attila about his journey, and the king thanked him, and said his journey had had the best outcome.

Hagen went on downriver for a while, and saw a ship in the middle of the river, and a man on it, and he asked him to come to land to fetch a man from Elsung. He said this because they were in the realm of jarl Elsung the Youngersee also 399 and he thought the pilot would come to him quicker.

The pilot replied: I don't pick up men of Elsung quicker than any other, and I won't row without wages. Hagen took a golden ring and held it up: See here, good man, your wages. I'll give you this golden ring when you ferry me over.

When the pilot saw this he considered how he had married a short while ago, and he wanted to give his wife the money, so he rowed to the shore. Hagen got on the ship and have the pilot his ring. Now the pilot wanted to row across, but Hagen told him to go upstream, but the pilot refused. Hagen told him to row upstream if he wanted to or not, and the pilot took fright and rowed where Hagen wanted him to go, and now they rowed on until theu came to the Niflungen.

King Gunther and his people were on their feet, and they had found a ship, but it was very small, and with this ship a few men had already crossed the stream, but as soon as they landed the ship filledwith water, I presume and capsized, and they barely came ashore.

When Hagen came to them with the large ship the Niflungen became happy, and king Gunther himself boarded the ship, and with him a hundred men, and they rowed into the stream. But Hagen rowed so storngly that he broke both oars and their oarlocks, and said that the one who made fun of them would never thrive, and drew his sword and cut off the pilot's head, who was seated in front of him on the benches.

Then king Gunther said: Wy did you do that evil deed? What has he done to you?

And Hagen said: I don't want messengers to go to Hunnenland to tell them about our journey, and this man can't tell them any more.

Then king Gunther said: You just want to do evil, and you are never happy unless you've done some evil.

And Hagen replied: Why wouldn't I do evil when we go forth? Not even a child will return from our journey.

Now king Gunther steered, but the rudder broke in two, and the ship ran before current and wind. Hagen jumped to the rudder and reattached the ruddernot sure how to picture this with a strong hand, and when he had mended the rudder they were close to land. And at that moment the ship capsized, and they came to shore with their clothes wet.

Then they repaired the ship and had their men cross the stream again to their other men until all had crossed the river. And they went on their way all day.

Now the Niflungen rode into Rodinger's courtyardgarð and dismounted, and the margrave's men received them well. And the margrave had ordered two large fires to be made because they were still wet. And king Gunther, his brothers, and several of his men sat with one fire, and the other men with the other. Those who were dry were led to the hall and placed on the benches.

Now the Niflungen undressed near the fires, and Gotelinde, margrave Rodinger's wife, and she was sister to duke Nudung who fell at Gransport, said: The Niflungen have brought many white armours, and hard helmets, and sharp swords, and new shields, but Grimhild still cries for her husband Sigfrid every day. When the fires had gone out king Gunther and Hagen and their brothers went into the hall, sat there and drank with joy, and then they went to sleep.

Now margrave Rodinger lay in bed with his wife, and he asked her: What honourable gift shall I give to king Gunther and his brothers? And she replied: Anything you would like to give, I will agree with. And he said: If you agree, I would like to give our daughter to young Giselher as my first gift. And Gotelinde said: If he could enjoy our daughter it would be well done, but I am afraid he won't.

• The longest source attestation in the entire saga. Scholars assume this chapter is generally right: this version of the Niflungensaga indeed came from Germany.

And how these things happened one can hear in sagas of German men that were born in Soest, where these events took place, and they have seen unchanged the places where these things happened, where Hagen fell, and where Irung was killed, and where the snake tower was where king Gunther died. And the garden was called Niflungengarden and still stands in the same way as when the Niflungen were killed, the old gate where the struggle started, and the western gate which is now called Hagen's gate, where the Niflungen broke out of the garden, and today it is called the same as it was then.

Men from Bremen and Münster have told us the same, and none of them knew of the others, but they still told the same story. And it is also according to the old songs in the German language made by wise men of the great deeds that took place in that country.

Now king Dietrich von Bern had lost many warriors. King Dietrich and master Hildebrand conferred, and the king said: It has always been my greatest regret that I have been away from my realm for so long, and now I lost all my heroes and friends, and my honour. See, master Hildebrand, how many of our friends are dead: good margrave Rodinger, and king Gunther of Niflungenland was killed, and HagenMs B adds: and their brothers, who have been our greatest friends. What are we doing here in Hunnenland? Why should we grow old here? And God knows I'd prefer to die for my realm of Amelungenland and my good city of Bern than grow old and lose my honour here in Hunnenland. We have served king Attila for too long.

Master Hildebrand replied: My lord, we've been away from our realm for a long time, and lost much, first of all by Sibich's treason, and we will fight against superior numbers in king Ermenrik's realm. But still I agree with you: it's better to die in Amelungenland than to grow old dishonourably in Hunnenland.

King Dietrich said: Master Hildebrand, what have you heard about my town of Bern. Who rules there now?

And master Hildebrand said: My lord, I do not know, but I have heard something about it, that there would be a duke there named Alebrand, and he is supposed to be my son. And it is said he is a great warrior. It could be that my wife Oda was pregnant when I left Bern, and that he was born afterwards.

King Dietrich replied: If your son were duke of Bern it would be a stroke of luck. He would receive us well if he is as loyal to us as you have been.

And Hildebrand said: Lord, how will we arrange this trip?

And the king said: We cannot come to Amelungenland with an army. Since Hunnenland has too few men left king Attila will not send his leaders with us to win back our realm. I want to go to Amelungenland in secret, and it would be good if there were no more men than the two of us, and I will swear I will not leave Amelungenland again with dishonour, but die there or win my kingdom back.

Master Hildebrand said: If the two of us go alone, lord, this journey will only have little honourApparently honour requires a large army?, but it's better to travel like this than not to go to Amelungenland at all.

And Hildebrand also said: Shall we tell king Attila?

And Dietrich replied: We have decided to return, whether king Attila likes it or not, so we should conceal it from him and the other men until we're ready to go. And he added: Lady Herrat should come with us if she wishes; go and tell her.

So master Hildebrand went to Herrat and told her in secret what king Dietrich was planning. And she replied: If king Dietrich leaves Hunnenland I will follow him, but I want to hear it from his mouth.

The Dietrich went to her and said: Lady Herrat, do you want to come home with me to Amelungenland? I want my kingdom back, or death, but I do not longer wish to stay in Hunnenland where I lost many of my dearest friends. Hildebrand my best friend will come with me, and I have left my realm thirty two years agowhich would mean about twelve years, maybe slightly less, elapsed between Gransport and the death of the Niflungen

And Herrat said: I will follow you gladly, and may God give you your realm back. And Dietrich said: Then prepare, for we'll leave Soest this night.

And that night Hildebrand had arranged for three horses for them, and a fourth to carry their gold, silver, and clothes. And they helped Herrat on her horse and packed their load. Then master Hildebrand said: Lord, you should not leave king Attila in dishonour without speaking to him. And Dietrich replied: Then take lady Herrat to the gates, while I visit king Attila.

Then he went to the hall where king Attila slept, and he told his guards that he wanted to visit him. And the guards let him in, because they knew he was a great friend of king Attila. Thus king Dietrich went into the hall where king Attila slept and woke him.

And king Attila welcomed him and asked him what he was doing here with all his weapons. Dietrich asked for a private conversation and Attila agreedApparently a few more people were present in the same hall. Then Dietrich told him he wanted to return home. Attila asked where he was going to find an army. Dietrich replied he was going in secret because he had no more men left. Attila asked him to stay for a while more, and offered him a Hunnish army to conquer his realm. But Dietrich refused with many thanks, because he did not want to waste Attila's warriors again.

Then Attila accompanied him to the gate, and they said goodbye and kissed one another, and Attila wept. But Dietrich jumped on his horse Falkewho's getting a bit long in the tooth and they left.

Master Hildebrand led the way with the pack horse, and Dietrich and Herrat followed him. They took the road to Mundiacf 287, and they rode night and day without meeting anyone, and they did not go into any towns.

Then they came to Bakalar, and Dietrich turned his horse towards the castle and grieved for margrave Rodinger who had taken him in as a guest when he fled from Ermenrik289. And Hildebrand remembered how Rodinger had saved him in the battle against the Reussen308. Then they rode on into the Lurwald84.

Jarl Elsung the Youngerwho was mentioned in 365 had crossed the Rhine with thirty-two warriors and had heard Dietrich was traveling there. He remembered how the old Samson with his sons Ermenrik and Dietmar had killed Elsung the Elder12, and he wanted to avenge his kinsman.

When the sun set Dietrich wanted to press on into the night, and he now led, with Hildebrand, Herrat, and the pack horse following. Hildebrand saw a great dust cloud and light glancing off shields and armour, and they were riding after them. Then Herrat cried that those were the enemy, and that they could not withstand them. Now Dietrich also saw them, and asked Hildebrand who they would be. Hildebrand replied that it might be Elsung who had heard of their travels.

Then Dietrich asked: What shall we do? Ride into the forest to save ourselves, or dismount and get ready for battle? Hildebrand now counted thirty-two men, and proposed to stand and fight, so that the people in Hunnenland would hear how they had killed many and driven off the rest.

Then Dietrich and Hildebrand dismounted, helped Herrat down, and drew their swords.

Jarl Elsung came closer, and his sister-son Amelung said, when he saw Herrat: If you leave this woman behind, then you will escape with your lives. Master Hildebrand replied she had come with king Dietrich from Soest for another purpose. And one of Elsung's men said he had never heard an old man speak so fearlessly or haughtily. Dietrich replied that the old man had spent his entire life in honour and manliness. Don’t insult him for his age.

Amelung said: Now surrender, or I will pull your beard so that most of it will come off. Hildebrand replied: Try that, and you'll regret it. Who is your leader? OneMs A and B: Ingram said: Don't you know our jarl Elsung? We are certainly fools that we exchange words with you for so long.

He drew his sword and hit Hildebrand on his helm hat, and the sword cut through it, but beneath it was Hildegrim, Dietrich’s old helmet, and it withstood the blow. But king Dietrich now had Sigfrid's helmetGunther had given it to Osid in 357, and apparently Dietrich got it when Osid died, which was the best of all and studded with gold. And Hildebrand drew his sword Gram, which once belonged to Sigfridand which Hildebrand apparently took from Giselher in 390 and hit Ingram on his helmet and cut through helmet and head, torso and armour, and the sword hit the saddle bow.

Then Dietrich drew his sword Eckisax and struck the foremost knight on his shoulder so that his arm was cut off, and with another blow he hit jarl Elsung so that the sword cut off his arm and went into his jawbone, and he fell dead.

• Von der Hagen says in a note that this is the last chapter in the Membrame, and that from now on he will use A and B.
• Ritter amends Von der Hagen's note and says that he actually used the Svava, not A and B, and proceeds to give another translation, presumably from A and B.
• However, it seems the Membrame actually breaks off in 427, so I don't understand what Von der Hagen and Ritter are talking about.

Then all wanted to be back home in Babilonia, but in a short while Dietrich had killed seven more, but Hildebrand nine more. Young Amelung attacked Hildebrand, but all the others fled. Then Hildebrand gave Amelung blows on his shield and helmet, and Amelung fell, and Hildebrand leapt on top of him and told him to surrender. Amelung said it would not be better for him to live after being defeated by such an old manThis again happens in 408. More in general it seems that this fight against Amelung is a copy of the fight against Alebrand., but gave up his weapons.

Then Hildebrand allowed him to get up and asked him who he was and why these man had attacked them. Amelung explained that jarl Elsung the Younger wanted to avenge jarl Elsung the Elder who had been killed by Samson. And Dietrich asked him for news from the south, and told him he could keep life and arms, and all others with him, and thus would he repay the elder Elsung's death.

Then Amelung told him Ermenrik was gravely ill because his belly had been slit open, and Sibich had advised to cut out part of the belly fat and he was as good as dead. Dietrich and Hildebrand thanked him for the news, let him go and continued on their way.

• Weird chapter. Amelung being confused with Elsung reminds one of 101, but that theme isn't followed up properly. And why essentially tell the same story twice?

But the fleeing men went back over the Rhine to Babilonia, and told everyone that jarl Elsung was dead and sixteen men with him. And when they were asked who did that, they replied it was only two men, and one of them was so amazingly old that he must have been a fiend, and he certainly had the devil himself in his handi.e. his sword; see 408 for another use of the same sentence, and his beard was so long that it covered his breast. And the counselorvague knew this must have been Dietrich and Hildebrand.

Then Amelung came home and twelve men with him, and everybody thought it was jarl Elsung. And the counselor himself stood and congratulated Amelung on returning. And he asked who the two men were that had defeated them, especially the old one with the big beard. Amelung told him they were Dietrich von Bern and Hildebrand, and that they had defended themselves well, and we lost fourteen out of thirty-two.

Dietrich told Hildebrand they would travel over the Mundia mountains397, and before them was a forest. Dietrich and Herrat remained in the forest, but Hildebrand rode on to a castle belonging to old earl Ludwig and his son Konrad. Then Hildebrand spotted a man that lived in the castle, and he asked him who ruled there, and the man told him it was earl Ludwig and his son Konrad. Then Hildebrand asked who ruled Bern. The man told him it was lord Alebrand, son of old Hildebrand.

Hildebrand laughed and asked: How good of a warrior is Alebrand? And what kind of man is he? The man replied that Alebrand was the best of all warriors, and he exceeds all in courtesy and generosity, but he is grim towards his enemies.

Hildebrand said: You're a good man. What more can you tell me? And the man replied that there was important and likely true news: Ermenrik was dead.

And Hildebrand and the man went to the castle, and Hildebrand asked the man to get jarl Konrad. Konrad wanted to know what a foreign man with a broad white beard wanted from him, and came out of the castle alone. Hildebrand asked him who he was, and he replied he was Konrad son of Ludwig, and Konrad asked who Hildebrand was. Hildebrand answered he was Hildebrand master of the WölfingenThis family name is new, it does not occur in 15. And Konrad told him he, too, was a Wölfing, and invited his kinsman into the castle to meet his father.

But Hildebrand said he couldn't come this time, but was there any news? Big news! Konrad replied, king Ermenrik of Rome is dead. And who now wears his crown, Hildebrand asked. Evil news, Konrad replied, it’s that traitor Sibich. But what news do you have? And Hildebrand told him jarl Elsung had been killed and king Dietrich was back in Amelungenland.

God be praised, Konrad replied. Alebrand has already sent messengers north into Hunnenland to tell Dietrich to come back to his realm. And Alebrand does not want to give up his castle to Sibich, nor any other place. The Amelungs prefer to die before allowing Sibich to rule Bern.

And Hildebrand said he had to return to the forest where Dietrich waited. But Konrad asked him to wait, because he wanted to tell his father what had happened.

Konrad went into the castle and told his father what had happened. And jarl Ludwig rose and went to Hildebrand with many men, and kissed him, and welcomed him as a kinsman. But where, he then asked, is king Dietrich? Hildebrand told him he was in the forest, and jarl Ludwig called for horses, and at that moment some men arrived with a cart full of honey and wine. Ludwig took the cart, added some of the best provisions, and went into the forest, where Dietrich had meanwhile made a fire.

Ludwig and Konrad fell on their knees before Dietrich, kissed his hands, hailed him as their lord, and told him they would help him in whatever he wanted to do. Then Dietrich took them by the hand and set them next to him, and they exchanged tidings. Ludwig invited Dietrich to his castle, but Dietrich told him he'd stay in the forest for a while, while Hildebrand rode to meet his son Alebrand. And while Hildebrand made himself ready they had a great feast, but Dietrich refused to go into the castle because he had sworn not to enter any house before his good castle at Bern.

Hildebrand and Konrad set out, and Konrad advised Hildebrand to tell Alebrand straight away who he was, because if he didn't Alebrand might kill him, he was that good of a warrior. And Hildebrand asked for a description of Alebrand. Konrad told him Alebrand had a white stallion, and the nails in his shoes were golden, and so were his horseshoes. His shield was white with a castle on it. And you are too old to stand up to him.

Hildebrand laughed and said that even though Alebrand might be too proud to compare himself to another man, it might still be that he wouldn't tell me his name before I tell him mine.

Now Hildebrand rode on the road to BernKonrad seems to have disappeared, and when he neared the town he saw a man with two dogs and a falcon, and the man sat proudly on a white horse, and his armour was white but Bern was painted on it with golden towers. Hildebrand rode towards him.

When Alebrand saw an armed man riding towards him, he rode towards the man. When he saw that the man did not bow to him he became angry and readied himself for a fight and spurred on his horse. And Hildebrand held his shield before his breast, brought his lance forward, and also spurred on his horse. Both now put their lance in the other man's shield so strongly that both shafts splintered, and the old man jumped from his horse and drew his sword, and the young man as well. They fought until both were tired, and put their shields down and leaned on them.

Now Alebrand asked who this old man standing before him was. And tell me quickly what your name is, and surrender your weapons to retain your life. Hildebrand replied that, before telling his name, he wanted to know the name of his opponent, and surrender your weapons freely or by force.

Then Alebrand swung his sword at the old man, and Hildebrand struck back, and the fight became hard and was twice as valiant as before. Then they became tired again, and Alebrand put down his shield to rest, and Hildebrand did the same.

And Alebrand said: tell me your name and surrender your weapons and you'll live, but if not then you will be killed. You did not tell me before, and without dishonour, but now you will, and without victory, and lose all your weapons, or you will die. And the young man became even fiercer and tried to kill the old man, but he defended himself bravely.

Now Hildebrand said: If you are from the Wölfing family, tell me, and I will make peace with you, but if you’re not I’ll kill you. And Alebrand replied: Give up if you want to live. But I am no more a Wölfing than you are, and now tell me who you are. If you knew who I am you wouldn't call my father a Wölfing. And again they fought even harder.

Then Hildebrand struck a mighty blow at the young man’s thigh, so that the armour was cut open and Alebrand was wounded so severely that he could hardly use his foot. And now Alebrand said: Here is my sword, I will surrender and can no longer fight. You have the fiend in your handhis sword; same sentence as in 402. The old man turned around his shield and stretched his hand to take the sword, but Alebrand struck at him and tried to cut off his hand. But the old man quickly brought his shield back and said: You learned that blow from your mother, and not from your father. And Hildebrand attacked so swiftly that Alebrand fell to the ground, and Hildebrand sprang on top of him and set his sword on the young man’s chest and said: Tell me quickly who you are and who your family is, or you will lose your life.

Then Alebrand said: I won’t tell you, and I don’t care about my life now that I’ve been vanquished by such an old gray goosegrágás. And Hildebrand said: If you want to keep your life, tell me quickly if you are Alebrand my son, and I’ll be Hildebrand your father. And Alebrand said: If you’re Hildebrand my father, then I’m Alebrand your son.

Then Hildebrand rose and Alebrand as well, and they kissed each other and regarded each other. Now Hildebrand became quite pleased with his son, and Alebrand with his father, and they jumped on their horses and rode to Bern. And Alebrand asked: Where did you part with king Dietrich? And Hildebrand told him everything that had happened and how they separated in the forest, and Alebrand rode there with all his men.

In the evening they rode to Alebrand’s motherShe does not live in Bern, but in fort Her; see 90.. She cried out when she saw him wounded, and asked who wounded him and who his companion was. He explained that it was his father Hildebrand. This made her glad, and all three were happy with one another. His mother dressed Alebrand’s wounds, and they dined here that evening. Then they rode to Bern, and it was dark when they arrived, and a guard was closing the gate.

Alebrand rode into the gate, and the guard barely recognised him, and Hildebrand pushed open the gate roughly. Then the guard struck at him with his sword, but Hildebrand got his shield between them and was not wounded. When Alebrand saw this he became angry and cut off the guard’s headRemember: this is one of Alebrand’s own men.

Then Hildebrand said: This was an evil deed, for his strike did not hurt me, and you killed an innocent man. But Alebrand replied: It’s thanks to your armor that you weren’t hurt, and if it hadn’t been there I’d have to avenge my father, and he wouldn’t be innocent. Then they entered the castle and were received well.

Now Alebrand sent messengers throughout the castle and town and called all the most powerful men to him. When a large crowd had gathered in the royal hall he told them king Dietrich was coming back to reclaim his realm. And he asked them to choose between Dietrich and the traitor Sibich. And one chieftain replied: If king Dietrich has truly come to Amelungenland and we could meet him, I know the will of all in the realm. All would rather die with him rather than him not regaining his lands.

And many agreed with him, and all who were present that night called out and praised God for Dietrich coming back to them. Some said that they wanted to serve him and would never take another lord as long as he was alive, but others said that Dietrich had not really returned to Amelungenland. Then Alebrand said that Dietrich had truly returned, followed by Hildebrand, my father, who is now with us. And all said that Hildebrand was welcome here. Then Alebrand said that, if they truly wanted Dietrich for a king, the best men should arm themselves and take their horses and ride out to meet him.

The next morning Alebrand and his knights departed, and master Hildebrand with them, for the forest where king Dietrich and jarl Ludwig waited. They all dismounted and bowed before him, and Dietrich kissed Alebrand. Then they all mounted and went to Bern. When the people of the town saw them coming they rejoiced. And Hildebrand bore his banner and Alebrand rode on his other side. Then Alebrand placed a small golden finger-ring in Dietrich’s hand and said: Lord, since your kinsman Ermenrik, who appointed me lord of this town and directed me to guard all of Amelungenland, died, Sibich has never ruled this kingdom. I give you this small finger-ring, and with it Bern and Amelungenland, and myself with all my men in your following.

King Dietrich thanked him, and promised to reward him well. Now each of the knights gave something to king DietrichVery weird. One would expect Dietrich to give gifts to his new followers, but the Old Norse really says Nú gefa Þiðreki konungi allir riddarar; now to king Dietrich all knights gave. some large estates, others good horses, yet others good swords, armour, and shields, or gold and silver, and the powerful gave him treasures.

And with all of them king Dietrich rode to his hall, and Alebrand and Hildebrand brought him to his throne, and that day he had no fewer than ten hundreds at his dish. Then the king sent word to all who ruled over castles and towns and districts, and every day many arrived to give their holdings into Dietrich’s lordship.

A few days later Dietrich rode out of Bern with a large army to the town called Ran. There he held an assemblyÞing and he said Sibich had assembled a great army with which he wanted to conquer Amelungenland. He asked the assembled men if they would have him or Sibich as king, and added that he would not flee from Sibich. Everyone replied that they wanted to serve king Dietrich, and not give Sibich a penny. Then he told them all to arm, and he didn’t want to spend any night at a place he had done so already before he encountered Sibich.

Then king Dietrich rode out of Rana with his army of seven thousand men. But Sibich had thirteen thousand and had come to the town called Gegenburg, and there Dietrich met him. Hildebrand rode in front with Dietrich’s banner, then the king himself, and then all his men. A great battle ensued, and an army of seven thousand came from Roma to help Sibich, and they attacked Dietrich in the back. Then Dietrich had his standard turned against the Romans, while Hildebrand with the Amelungen continued against Sibich.

Duke Alebrand now rode against Sibich until he was under his banner, and with his first blow he cut off the hand that held the banner and the banner pole itself, and the banner fell to the ground. And then Sibich himself rode against him, and they gave one another mighty blows, until Sibich fell dead from his horse. And when the king of the Romans had fallen the Amelungen raised a great victory cheer, and the Romans surrendered.

When king Dietrich became aware of this he said he had had great luck that day, and that the realm of the Amelungs would be better if he had done this nineNot entirely consistent with 396, but this is from A and B, and 396 from the Membrame winters ago. The Romans did not grieve much for their lord and gave themselves into Dietrich’s power.

Now king Dietrich marched on Rome, and all castles and towns he passed surrendered. In Rome he entered the hall king Ermenrik had had, and set himself on the throne, and Hildebrand placed king Ermenrik’s crown on his head. Then all knights who had served Ermenrik went over to him and became his men, and so did all in the realm, some out of friendship, others because they didn’t dare to do otherwise.

Now king Dietrich had many great works done that one can still see today: the bathhouse called DietrichsbadSee also 438, and he had a great likeness made of himself on his horse Falke, and almost all who came to Rome must have seen this statue. Another likeness he had made to the northBern, and there he stands with his sword Eckisax raised toward the stone bridge over the river.

Late in king Dietrich’s days the Arian heresy was condemned by Christian men, and all who had followed that heresy went over to the true faith. King Dietrich and Hildebrand went over to Christianity as well, and the entire realm of Romans and Langobards was baptised againThis sentence comes from the Raszmann translation quoted by Ritter. It is not in Jónsson. The Svava has more or less this sentence, but leaves out the bits about Arianism.. Shortly thereafter master Hildebrand fell ill. This was a serious illness, and the king never left him.

Then master Hildebrand said: I believe this illness will lead to my death. I bid you to let my son Alebrand enjoy our friendship, and that he has my weapons. And a little later Hildebrand died, and king Dietrich wept many tears over him. He had his body prepared and gave him a rich funeral. In all these stories no man is more praised than Hildebrand, mostly for his loyalty to king Dietrich and while he was the bravest and best in battle, and the most generous of men. German men say he was a hundred and fifty when he died, but German songs say he was two hundred. And Alebrand now wore the sword Gram and the helmet that had belonged to his father.

Shortly after king Dietrich’s wife, lady Herrat, became ill and she also died. She was a good woman, courteous and beloved, like her kinswomen Erka and Gotelinde369-370, jarl Rodinger’s wife. These three women are the best and most generous of all women mentioned in this saga.

After the fall of the Niflungen Attila ruled over his realm, and Aldrian, son of Hagen, grew up at his court. This was the son that Hagen had sired in the last night of his life393 with the woman king Dietrich had brought to him, a daughter of Irung the captain of knightsThis last clause appears in Von der Hagen, but not in Jónsson or Haymes. The Irung mentioned here is probably the one from 378,387. The boy was now twelve winters old, and king Attila loved him very much. Attila also had a son who was now eleven winters oldApparently he remarried quickly after Grimhild’s death, and one woman raised both boys, and Attila treated them equally in everythingAgain, this last clause is only in Von der Hagen.

One evening king Attila sat on his throne, and Aldrian stood before him with a candle, and close by was a hearth from which a small burning branch extendedor jumped out of the fire and burned through his shoes and trousers into his foot, but Aldrian didn’t notice until a knight took it away. Then Attila said: Aldrian, what were you thinking of that you didn’t remove the branch yourself?

And Aldrian said: Lord, I considered how little it means that you have white bread and nd all kinds of delicacies and the best wine on your table, when the day will come you will eat black bread and drink water. Attila replied: What do you mean? On the battlefield I was often been hungry and thirsty, but now I am old and weak, and I will not again go on campaign where I have to eat black bread and drink water.

But Aldrian was often so thoughtful, and especially about how he could avenge his father and kinsmen on AttilaAgain, this sentence is only in Von der Hagen.

One day Attila was hunting with his men, but all of his men were away from him except for Aldrian. Then Aldrian asked: How much treasure do you think Sigfrid had, the one that is called the Niflungen hoard? And Attila replied: The Niflungen hoard contains the most valuefé ever seen in one place that we know about. And Aldrian asked: And who now keeps this great wealth? And Attila replied: I don’t know, nor do I know where it is, and I think no one knows.

Then Aldrian asked: And how would you reward one who can show you the Niflungen hoard? And Attila replied: Who could do that? But I’d make that man so great in my realm that few should be equal to him. And Aldrian said: If you want to do that, then it might be I am that man.

Then the king said: It would certainly be a great fortune if you could tell me where the Niflungen hoard is. And Aldrian said: If you want that, only us two have to travel, and no third man may follow us. And the king said he’d gladly arrange that, and Aldrian said that right now they should ride home. And that they did.

A few days later king Attila wanted to ride into the forest, but he did not want to take anyone with him but Aldrian, his foster son. And this surprised his men, since Attila was an old man and could no longer ride well, and it did not seem proper that he rode out with only one man. But the king did not allow anyone but Aldrian to come with him.

Then they rode through a forest until they came to a mountain. Aldrian took the keys that led into the mountainopened the doors, presumably and opened a first door, then a second, and then a third, and he went into the mountain, and king Attila followed him. Then Aldrian told Attila that the Niflungen hoard should be here, and showed him the gold, silver, and weapons that had belonged to Sigfrid and Gunther and Hagen, and all the portanble wealth of the Niflungen was there. At one place there was the treasure of king Gunther, and at another Hagen's, and that was not less than the first. Aldrian went even deeper into the mountain, and told the king to come, and showed him Sigfrid's hoard, and it was twice as much as what they had yet seen. King Attila became happy, and saw that there was so much treasure that no king would be wealthier than he.

But Aldrian went on into the mountainback? and out of the door, and closed it behind him. And Attila called: Good friend Aldrian, come back to me. But Aldrian replied: Now you have as much gold and silver as you desire, but I have lived a long time in a way that requires little money. I will now go into the forest and delight myself. Then he closed the other door and the third, and put stones and turf over it. Now king Attila realised what the boy had done to avenge his father and the Niflungen.

Three days later Aldrian returned, and Attila had meanhwile broken open one door. He called: Good friend Aldrian, open the mountain and I’ll give you gold and silver as much as you want and make you a chiettain in my realm and pay compensation for your father and kinsmen. And I won’t hold against you what you have done here.

Aldrian replied: Attila, you coveted359,376 the Niflungen hoard when your brother in law king Gunther and his brothers were still alive. Now you have it. And hasn’t my prediction come true? The day has come that you’d eat barley bread and drink water if you had it. And king Attila replied that he’d love to eat and drink that. And Aldrian said: Well, you can get neither. Drink gold and silver, you have long thirsted for it.

Then Aldrian took stones and turf and placed so much on the doors that he knew Attila would never come out alive.

• A and B do not mention Brunhild. See Ritter’s note in Von der Hagen.

Now Aldrian rode to Niflungenland to the wealthy Brunhild, who had been married to king Gunther. He said Attila was likely dead, and Gunther and his brothers avenged and told her what happened. She congratulated him with avenging his father, and assembled her men and made the news known. Then she gave him many knights to take over his realm.

Aldrian now took the jarldomhe doesn’t become king over Niflungenland and ruled it for the rest of his life.

Thus died king Attila, and no one knows where the Niflungen hoard is hiddenHere ends the Membrame manuscript. because Aldrian was the only one and he did not touch the hoard for as long as he lived.

After Attila’s death king Dietrich von Bern took all of Hunnenland with the help of many of his friends, who had been with king Attila when Dietrich lived there. He ruled over this realm until his old age, and his chieftains never fought against him, and no one dared to attack him even when he rode alone with his weapons.

Heime Studa’s son had lived in the forest for a long time and had done damage to Sibich’s lands, burning farms and killing people. In this fashion he lived for thirtyA: twenty years, the time that Dietrich was gone from his realm. And when Heime heard Sibich had been killed he realised how much evil he had done and wanted to repent. Therefore he rode to a monastery with all his weapons on his horse Rispa.

When he arrived Heime told the abbot: I am Ludwig, and I come from Amelungenland. And he took his shield from his shoulders, and took off his sword Nagelring, and his armour, and laid them all at the feet of the abbot. Then he abased himself and said: These weapons and this horse, all my belongings, worth no less than ten gold marks, I wish to give to the monastery, and myself with them.

The abbot felt that this man might be someone else than he said he wasVon der Hagen. Haymes has: "that this man would not be obedient if he were in the monastery", but the money was good, so he took Ludwig by the hand, and brought his to a small room next to the church choir. Here Heime took off his rich clothes and took the black cloak like the other monks. The same day he was consecrated as a monk.

The abbot took all the goods and and made it his own, and Ludwig followed the monastic rule. But if the monks had known he was Heime Studa’s son they would not have taken him in, no matter how many goods he brought. Thus Heime served in the monastery for a while.

The giant Aspilian owned many estates in this Langobardenland. He was as big and strong as beforeThis giant has never been mentioned before and unpleasant to deal with. He had a large treasure because people didn’t dare to refuse him anything he wanted.

The monks owned a rich estate, but Aspilian took possession. The abbot sent monks to the giant, and he said he had more rights to the estate than the monks. The monks replied that the estate had been given to them for God’s sake.

Then Aspilian said: Appoint a man to fight me. When I lose the estate is yours, when I win it’s mine. This is the law of the land: where two men have a conflict over something, they shall fight a duelholmgang. The monks could do nothing because the giant followed the law, but they didn’t know which man would fight such a strong giant.

They informed the abbot, who told all monks and said that they would have to let the estate go if they did not find a suitable man. The monks were displeased and sent men far and wide to find someone who would fight the giant, but found no one.

One day they discussed the matter again, and Ludwig said: Why do you monks complain? What has Aspilian done? And the abbot explained the matter. Then Ludwig said: I gave my treasure and weapons to this monastery for God's sake, and now I will fight this giant. Where are my sword and my armour? The abbot suspected he was some sort of warrior, and said his sword had been made into doorhinges for the monastery, and his armour sold at the market.

And Ludwig said: You monks understand books, but not weapons. If you’d known how good these weapons were you would never have parted with them. Then he jumped up and took the abbot’s hood in both hands and said: You are a fool if you didn’t have other iron but my good sword Nagelring that beheaded many a giant to make your hinges. He shook the hood so hard that the abbot lost four teeth. When the monks heard the name Nagelring they understood that it was Heime Studa’s son and became frightened. They took some keys and opened a chest that contained Nagelring and his armour, and they were well kept.

Heime took Nagelring and saw how beautiful its cutting edge was, and how the gold shone. And he remembered the days that he rode with his companions, and became first red, then pale. Then he asked for his horse Rispa. The abbot said it had pulled stone for the church and was dead for many years.

The monks brought many stallions from the surroundings to the monastery and invited Heime to choose. Heime went to one and hit him in the flanks with his hand, and he fell down. Then he went to a handsome horse and hit his back with his hands, so that his spine shattered. Then he said these horses were worthless and they should give him the best one. The monks brought forward a strong enough horse, but he was very old and skinny. But Heime quickly saw he was Rispa. He took his manes and pulled down with all his might, but the stallion remained upright. Then he pulled his tail, but the horse remained where it was.

Heime laughed and said: You came back, old Rispa, and I know you. As old and skinny as you are, I know no other horse I’d rather have. And he told the monks to care for the stallion as best as they could. And Rispa was brought to the stables, where he stood for six weeks until he was as fat and sleek as usual, and as lively as in his younger years.

The abbot sent word to Aspilian that he would find their man on a certain island. Aspilian armed himself and had an alpandil brought for his mount, which we call an elephantfil The abbot and monks went with Heime and rowed to the island. And there Heime armed himself. The abbot wished him good luck and God’s protection. There he saw Aspilian on his elephant, and he rode towards him, praying for God’s help.

The giantLike in 195-196, the giant is not named during the fight said: Who is this little man? What do you want? Fight me? It would be shameful to kill you. Go home and save yourself. And Heime replied: As small as my legs and body are, I will not flee for you. Then he spurred his horse and and aimed his spear at the giant’s arm pit, but his armour was so good that the blow did not hurt him. Then the giant hurled his own spear at Heime, but Heime ducked and the spear flew over him and went so deep into the earth that no one has found it since.

Heime jumped from his horse and drew his sword. The giant did the same, and struck at Heime with his sword, but Heime ducked and the sword hit the earth. Then Heime quickly cut off the giant’s right hand, above the sword hilt, so that hand and sword fell to the ground. Heime gave the giant another blow in the thigh, and German songs say that he cut off such a big piece that a horse would not be able to carry it. The giant, seeing he was defeated, tried to fall on Heime, which would kill him. Heime saw the danger, but did not want to flee. Thus he moved forward until he stood between the giant’s legs, and when he fell one leg was on one side of Heime and the other on the other, leaving Heime unscathed.

The monks in the ship heard a thump that was so loud that the earth moved. And when they saw the giant had fallen they sang Kyrie Eleison. Then Heime came to the ship and they all sailed away to the monastery. The abbot and the prior took Heime by the hand and brought him to is seat in the choir. Heime kept to the rule like before.