1

Ancient tales relate the marvels of great heroes -- their victories and, in some
instances, their tragic deaths. Hear now one such tale: the story of the noble King
Siegfried and of the fair Kriemhild, who caused the death of many brave knights.
Kriemhild, with her three brothers Gunther, Gernot, and Giselher, grew u in
!urgundy. "heir father, King #ancrat, and their mother, $ueen %ote, held court at
&orms on the 'hine. #ancrat, no longer young, had assed the kingshi to his
three sons.
Also featured in this tale is the vassal Hagen of "roneck, a valiant warrior.
Kriemhild once dreamed that she reared a falcon, but that two eagles tore it aart.
She related this event to her mother, who interreted the dream: ("he falcon is a
noble man, whom you will marry, but soon afterward he will be taken from you.(
()o,( relied the daughter, (* intend to remain a virgin. * will not let my life be
ruined through the love of a man.(
(!e careful before making such a vow,( relied %ote. ("rue hainess comes only
from a man+s love.(
"he mother+s rediction did come true. &ith time Kriemhild did indeed marry a
noble warrior, only to lose him through treachery. Her vengeance for this wicked
act brought death to many, including her closest kinsmen.
2
&e turn now to the great hero Siegfried, who grew u in the city of ,anten on the
'hine, in the )etherlands. He was the son of King Siegmund and $ueen Sieglind.
"he young rince was knighted at midsummer. -art of the celebration was a mass,
sung to the glory of God. Afterward a glorious tournament was held. )ever before
had there been such a gathering of brave and chivalrous knights. A glorious feast
followed the .ousting, with wandering minstrels entertaining everyone royally.
"hey received generous ayment for their service: horses, clothes, and other rich
gifts were resented in abundance.
3-4
/eanwhile, tidings of -rincess Kriemhild+s beauty and nobility sread abroad, and
-rince Siegfried resolved that he would marry no one but her. "hus he set forth for
!urgundy, accomanied by twelve warriors. 0utfitted with the best armor and
weaons, the wooing arty made a great imression on the !urgundians.
Although Hagen had never before seen him, he knew immediately who the foreign
knight was. ("his is mighty Siegfried,( he said. (* do not know his urose here,
but we must treat him with resect. He is the great warrior who slew the )ibelungs,
then took ossession of their treasure, a hoard so immense that it filled a hundred
freight wagons. *n addition to gold and recious stones, the treasure also included
the famous sword !almung. "he dwarf Alberich, keeer of the )ibelung treasure,
attemted to avenge his former masters by attacking Siegfried, but to no avail. "he
brave rince overowered him forthwith, then took from him the magic cloak of
invisibility. "hereuon Alberich swore loyalty to Siegfried, the new lord of the
)ibelung treasure, and thus continued his ost as keeer of the treasure.(
Hagen continued telling what he knew about Siegfried: (1urthermore, the great
hero slew a dragon and bathed in its blood, which made him invincible against all
weaons. )o mortal can defeat him in combat. &e must receive him with chivalry
and honor, and seek his friendshi.(
Siegfried acceted the !urgundians+ hositality and lived at their court for an entire
year, but not once during this time did he see the beautiful -rincess Kriemhild.
"he royal !urgundian household often sonsored .ousting tournaments, and
Siegfried, time and again, roved his knightly abilities. An even greater test came
when news arrived that the Sa2ons lanned to attack the !urgundians. Siegfried
came to the aid of his new allies and led the counter-attack against the Sa2ons,
defeating them decisively. He returned to !urgundy to a hero+s welcome.
5
King #ancrat ordered a great festival in celebration of the !urgundians+ victory. *t
was here that Siegfried first saw the beautiful Kriemhild, standing at her window
and observing the festivities below. Her beauty shone incomarably forth. Siegfried
knew at once that this was the maiden of his dreams. He now found cause to visit
her every day, and they assed the time together with great leasure, but also with a
ainful foreboding of tragic events to come.
6
A new erson now enters our story: $ueen !runhild of *celand. "idings of her great
beauty had e2tended as far as &orms, and King Gunther resolved to win her as his
wife. However, !runhild was renowned not only for her beauty, but also for her
vast strength, as well as for her skill at throwing the .avelin, hurling a weight, and
leaing a great distance. Any man who sought to marry her was re3uired to better
her in these three contests. "he ri4e for victory would be !runhild herself5 but the
enalty for defeat was the loss of one+s head. /any would-be suitors had
challenged the fair !runhild in these three contests, but until now no one had
defeated her, and all had lost their heads.
Gunther announced his intention to woo fair !runhild, but Siegfried, who knew
well how owerful she was, advised against this undertaking. Gunther could not be
dissuaded, so Siegfried, out of loyalty to his future brother-in-law 6as he hoed7
agreed to assist him in this dangerous venture. /aking rearations for the .ourney,
Siegfried carefully acked the magic cloak that he had taken from Alberich. )ot
only did this cloak make its wearer invisible, but it gave him the strength of twelve
additional men. 8es, with the aid of this cloak he did win !runhild for Gunther, but
in the end he came to rue this act.
A stout boat was built to carry the arty downstream to the oen sea, and Siegfried,
who knew these waters well, was chosen as catain. 0n the twelfth day, we are
told, they arrived at the great fortress of *senstein. Siegfried recogni4ed this at once
as !runhild+s domain.
7-8
&ary of !runhild+s great ower, Siegfried insisted that his own identity not be
revealed. "o reserve his anonymity he introduced himself as Gunther+s vassal.
!runhild received the wooing arty with outward courtesy, accomanied by the
severe warning that should Gunther fail to defeat her in the contest, everyone
accomanying him would die.
As rearations were being made for the fateful event, Siegfried secretly returned
to the shi and ut on the magic cloak. )ow invisible to all, he returned to the
grou.
"he first contest was to hurl a great sear, so heavy that three of !runhild+s men
together could barely lift it. "he fair 3ueen lifted it with ease, then threw it at
Gunther, who stood some distance from her. "he sear struck his shield, iercing it
with a shower of sarks. "he invisible Siegfried stood ne2t to Gunther and
whisered instructions into his ear. Siegfried then icked u the sear 6although
Gunther aeared to be the one doing this7 and hurled it back at !runhild. Her
shield and chain-mail rotected her from the deadly blow, but it came with such
force that the imact knocked her off her feet.
9eaing u, she congratulated Gunther on the une2ectedly owerful return, then
turned to the ne2t event. -icking u a huge boulder, she hurled it a good twenty-
four yards, then with one owerful bound, leaed even further. Gunther,
aroached the boulder, ut his hands on it, but it was the invisible Siegfried who
lifted it into the air and threw it an even greater distance than the one achieved by
!runhild. "hen he took Gunther into his arms and leaed still further, carrying
Gunther with him.
9
!runhild now had no choice but to accet Gunther+s marriage roosal, and she
agreed to return to !urgundy with him. As the arty aroached &orms, Siegfried
was sent ahead to announce the success of Gunther+s venture.
10
!efitting her nobility, fame, and beauty, !runhild was welcomed in &orms with
great celebration. :ousting matches, feasts, and other ceremonies were held in her
honor. $ueen %ote and -rincess Kriemhild were esecially munificent in their
recetion of their new daughter-in-law and sister-in-law.
-rearations were made for two royal weddings: $ueen !runhild of *celand with
King Gunther of !urgundy5 and -rincess Kriemhild of !urgundy with -rince
Siegfried of ,anten. However, !runhild did not see in Siegfried a man of royalty.
She knew him only as Gunther+s vassal, as he had been introduced to her in *celand.
(&hy,( she asked her future husband, (is your royal sister engaged to marry a mere
vassal;(
(He is a mighty king, as noble as myself,( relied Gunther. (He has enormous
ower and great holdings.(
"his answer 3uieted !runhild, but it did not still the uneasiness within her heart.
"he two royal weddings transired with e3ual slendor, but the two wedding nights
were not at all the same.
!runhild, dis3uieted by susicions about Siegfried+s rank, refused to share
Gunther+s bed, unless he were to tell her all that he knew about Siegfried. Gunther
insisted that there were no secrets to reveal. Alone in their bedroom, the two
continued to 3uarrel. (%nless you tell me the truth about Siegfried, * shall remain a
virgin,( she threatened.
Gunther grew angry, and forgetting her great strength, he attemted to take her by
force. She resisted his awkward advances with ease. "aking the cord from her
waist, she bound him hand and foot, then hung him from a nail on the wall, where
he remained the entire night.
"he ne2t morning the two royal bridegrooms greeted one another, and Gunther
confessed that his wedding night had not at all met his e2ectations. &ith great
embarrassment he revealed the misadventure to his new brother-in-law Siegfried.
0nce again Siegfried agreed to come to the aid of his haless relative. "hat night,
hidden under the cloak of invisibility, Siegfried entered the bed chamber of Gunther
and !runhild.
(Sto rumling my shift<( commanded the virgin 3ueen, thinking that Gunther was
once again harassing her. !ut this time it was not Gunther. *t was the invisible
Siegfried, and he wrestled her onto the bed and held her fast until she finally
submitted to Gunther.
"his would have settled the issue, but the invisible Siegfried, whether from ride or
some other motivation, took a golden ring from !runhild+s finger and an elaborately
embroidered girdle from her waist, then left Gunther and his now subservient wife
lying together.
9ater Siegfried gave these trohies to Kriemhild, but he came to rue the day that he
did so.
11
"ime assed. Siegfried returned with Kriemhild to the great city of ,anten. His
aging father named him king, and his mother having recently died, his wife became
3ueen. Here the two lived magnificently for ten years. "heir marriage was blessed
with a son, whom they named Gunther. *n &orms Gunther and !runhild had also
had a son, and they named him Siegfried.
12
/eanwhile, !runhild still suffered from the susicion that her sister-in-law had
married beneath her station. Siegfried, she believed, was merely her husband+s
vassal, and thus not entitled to marry into royalty. =ager to set her mind at ease, she
roosed to her husband that Siegfried and Kriemhild be invited to a great festival.
Gunther, not susecting his wife+s ulterior motives, agreed, and the invitation was
e2tended.
13-14
Siegfried and Kriemhild returned to &orms, where they were greeted with every
courtesy. However, in site of outward friendshi, !runhild+s .ealousy toward
Kriemhild soon manifested itself, and they fell to 3uarrelling about the rank and
merits of their resective husbands.
(8our husband calls himself a king,( taunted !runhild, (but he is nothing more than
a vassal to my husband, a real king.(
(8our husband is neither a real king nor a real man,( relied Kriemhild. (8our so-
called husband was not even man enough to take your maidenhead on your
wedding night. *t was my husband who had to do that .ob for him<(
(-rove it<( stammered !runhild with anger.
(-rove it * shall<( relied Kriemhild. (Here is the ring that he took from your finger
that night, and here is the girdle that he took from your waist<( So saying, she took
from her own finger and from her own waist the trohies that Siegfried secretly had
taken from !runhild on her wedding night.
!runhild, once a roud and owerful 3ueen, now dissolved into tears. She
confronted her husband with Kriemhild+s accusations, but nothing that he said
could comfort her.
Hagen, King Gunther+s faithful vassal, seeing his 3ueen+s distress swore revenge
against the man who, as he saw it, had caused her this grief. (* shall kill him,( he
romised.
15
*t was well known that Siegfried, having bathed in a dragon+s blood was invincible
against all normal weaons. However, it was rumored that in bathing he may have
missed one sot, and if an enemy could discover its location, he would have a
chance to mortally wound the famous warrior. Hagen vowed to discover Siegfried+s
one vulnerable sot. *f it did indeed e2ist, his wife Kriemhild would know where it
was.
Sometime later Hagen aroached Kriemhild. He directed their conversation to any
arehension that she might have about the dangers that Siegfried might face in
time of war.
(!ecause of the dragon+s blood he is 3uite safe against any foe,( relied the 3ueen,
with assurance.
()onetheless,( said the crafty Hagen, (* feel ill at ease for his sake. *t is my
resonsibility to rotect him from any danger, and * could better do this if * knew of
any way that he might be wounded.(
(-erhas you are right,( resonded the unsusecting 3ueen. (He does have one
small vulnerable sot. &hile he was bathing himself in the dragon+s blood a leaf
fell from a tree onto his back, directly between his shoulder blades, keeing the
blood from that one sot. He might be vulnerable there.(
(>ould you sew a little mark on his clothing at that sot, so that * can shield him in
the event of danger;( asked Hagen.
Seeing no harm in this re3uest, Kriemhild did indeed sew a tiny cross, too small for
anyone to notice, at the critical sot on Siegfried+s back.
16
Soon afterward the treacherous Hagen roosed a hunt for bear and boar in a
nearby forest. He revealed to Gunther what his lans were concerning Siegfried.
"he night before the hunt Kriemhild dreamed that two boars had chased Siegfried
over the heath, and that the wildflowers there had been dyed with blood. 'elating
this frightening dream to her husband, she urged him to stay with her, but he
assured her that he was 3uite safe. Alas, in this he was 3uite wrong. She would
never again see him alive.
At first the hunt roceeded in an accustomed manner, and a number of game
animals were slain. As the day advanced, everyone became thirsty from heat and
e2ertion. >oming to a cool, rushing brook, they stoed to 3uench their thirst.
Siegfried unstraed his sword and leaned his sear against a tree, then bent over
the brook to 3uench his thirst. Hagen ushed Siegfried+s sword from his reach,
icked u the sear, and hurled it at the cross embroidered on Siegfried+s back.
!lood surted from the wound, slashing against Hagen+s clothes. "he dying hero
reached for his sword, but not finding it, he attacked Hagen with his shield, nearly
killing him with blows. Siegfried+s strength faded 3uickly, and he soon fell among
the wildflowers, blood still ouring from his wound.
"ogether the hunters consired to conceal what had actually haened. (Siegfried
rode off by himself,( they would claim, (and was killed by robbers.(
17
"hey waited for nightfall to return to &orms. "hen the cruel and vengeful Hagen
had Siegfried+s body laid on the threshold of Kriemhild+s aartment so that she
would discover it when she left for matins. "he rayer bells rang, and Kriemhild
saw her husband+s body, red with gore. "he wretched 3ueen first fell seechless into
a swoon, then coming to herself, she screamed aloud, (Hagen committed this
bloody crime, and it was !runhild who urged him to do so< "he guilty ones shall
surely die<(
Hagen denied all guilt, and King Gunther suorted his lea. (He was killed by
robbers. Hagen did nothing wrong,( he stated.
"his deceitful claim, however was soon roven to be false. After Siegfried+s body
had been laced on a bier in the cathedral, Kriemhild demanded that Hagen swear
his innocence in the resence of the murdered man. *t fre3uently haens even
today that when a murderer aroaches his victim+s corse, the dead man+s wounds
begin to bleed afresh. "his miracle also occurred with Hagen and Siegfried. &hen
the guilty Hagen aroached the bier, blood flowed anew from Siegfried+s wound.
Kriemhild now knew without doubt who had killed her husband. Surrounded by
Hagen+s and Gunther+s allies and relatives, she was owerless to achieve .ustice at
this time, but she swore in her heart to avenge Siegfried+s death, however long it
might take.
18-19
Kriemhild remained at &orms, and on the surface her relationshi with the
!urgundians imroved. Always lotting revenge against Hagen, she e2tended
kindness to her in-laws, and they, in turn, returned the friendshi, hoing thus to
gain control over the immense )ibelung treasure that was now hers. 'ecogni4ing
that wealth brings ower, Kriemhild ordered that the treasure be brought to her
from )ibelungland. So great was this hoard of gems and gold that it re3uired a
do4en wagons fully loaded four days and nights, making three tris each day to
transort the treasure from the mountain where the dwarf Alberich had ket it
safely hidden.
&ith this immense treasure now at her disosal, Kriemhild began making generous
gifts to many !urgundian knights, thus gaining their allegiance and favor. Hagen,
sensing danger in these new alliances, urged the !urgundian kings to confiscate the
treasure. #isregarding their natural allegiance to their widowed sister, the
succumbed to Hagen+s urging and took the vast hoard from Kriemhild.
Soon afterward the three kings had a .ourney to make, and during their absence
Hagen took the treasure and sank in the 'hine at 9ocheim. He intended to return
someday and recover it, but this never haened.
Part Two: Kriemhild's Reve!e
20
"he story now turns to Hungary, the domain of the great King =t4el. His wife
having recently died, King =t4el desired to take a new 3ueen. "idings of the
beautiful widow Kriemhild had reached his land, and he resolved to woo her,
although he was a heathen and she was a >hristian.
'?diger, /argrave of -@chlarn and a member of =t4el+s court had known
Kriemhild since childhood, and he volunteered to carry =t4el+s marriage roosal to
the widowed 3ueen in &orms.
Accomanied by ABB knights, '?diger made his way from Hungary to Cienna, then
to his home at -@chlarn, and from thence across !avaria to the 'hine. "heir
.ourney lasted twelve days, and not once were they attacked by robbers.
"he Hunnish knights were received in &orms with great courtesy, their leader
'diger being well known to the three kings. "hey received King =t4el+s marriage
roosal with great favor.
0nly Hagen soke out against it. (* redict,( he warned, (that if Kriemhild marries
King =t4el, she will use her newly gained ower to do us great harm.(
However, the !urgundian kings saw only benefits in a marriage between their sister
and the Hunnish king, and they urged her to accet the roosal.
At first Kriemhild was reluctant, she being a >hristian and =t4el being a heathen,
but she soon came to see a great benefit in this marriage for her as well. =t4el+s
great ower would hel her avenge the death of her late husband. She acceted the
roosal and forthwith made rearations for the tri to Hungary.
21
"heir .ourney took them first to -f@ring on the #anube, then to -assau 6where the
*nn .oins the #anube7, then onward toward =t4el+s castle =t4elnburg by way of
=ferding, =nns, -@chlarn, /elk, /autern, "raisenmauer, "ulln, Cienna, 0ld
Hainburg, and &ieselburg.
22-23
=t4el and his entire court received their new 3ueen with slendor, granting her
every courtesy and honor. =t4el and Kriemhild married and they lived together in
great lu2ury. *n their seventh year together Kriemhild gave birth to a son, whom
they named 0rtlieb.
0utwardly, Kriemhild was content in her 3ueenshi, but inwardly she never ceased
brooding over the wrongs that had been committed against her at home, and in her
mind she lotted revenge against those who had been resonsible.
"o this end she decided to invite her brothers to visit her in Hungary. She selected
two trusted minstrels, &erbel and Swemmel, to carry the invitation to &orms,
instructing them that they must not tell her kinsmen that they had ever seen her
sorrowing, and also that they must insist that Hagen accomany her brothers to
Hungary.
24
&erbel and Swemmel, accomanied by twenty-four warriors, .ourneyed u the
#anube as far as -assau, where they called on !isho -ilgrim. * do not know what
route they took from there to the 'hine, but no one robbed them of their goods
underway. "he !urgundians received them with courtesy and honor, resenting the
two minstrels with generous gifts.
King Gunther and most of his associates were inclined to accet the invitation to
visit King =t4el and $ueen Kriemhild in Hungary. 0nly Hagen soke out against
the venture: (* killed Kriemhild+s husband with my own hand,( he confessed, (and
she will be seeking revenge against us all.(
(0ur sister is no longer angry,( relied Gunther.
Giselher then added the taunt, (*f you lack the courage to go with us, then you can
stay here in safety.(
(* have never lacked courage,( answered Hagen angrily. (* shall go with you.( He
then assembled an army of three thousand or more knights to accomany them on
their .ourney.
25
9ittle did the !urgundians know the tragedy that awaited them, although they were
forewarned by $ueen %ote. (#o not go,( she imlored. (9ast night * dreamed that
all the birds in this land had died.(
Hagen answered, (&e are moved by honor, not by dreams,( and they continued
their rearations for the .ourney ahead.
"he )ibelungs 6as the !urgundians were now called7 rode through Swabia, and no
one robbed them. 0n the twelfth day they arrived at the #anube. "he great river
had overflowed its banks, and no ferries could be found.
&hile looking for a ossible fording lace Hagen came uon a grou of water-
fairies bathing in the water. As he aroached they fled, leaving their clothes
behind, and the warrior immediately took ossession of their garments.
0ne of the ni2ies called to him, ()oble knight, give us back our clothes, and we
will tell your fortune.(
He agreed to this, and one of the fairies said, (8ou can ride on with confidence.
Great glory will come to you in =t4el+s land.(
Satisfied with this rediction, Hagen returned the clothing to them. )o sooner had
they ut on their marvelous garments than one of the fairies taunted, (/y cousin
lied to you. 8ou are riding into a tra. )one of you shall return alive from Hungary.
0nly King Gunther+s chalain shall be sared.(
Soon afterward the )ibelungs found a ferryman, but he was unwilling to take them
across the swollen #anube. "his angered Hagen, who struck off the ferryman+s
head, then confiscated his boat. 0ne boatload at a time, he ferried the travelers
across the river. "heir horses swam across, and although the current carried them
far downstream, not one of them was lost.
"he royal chalain was in the last boat. Seeing him, Hagen remembered the ni2ie+s
rediction. (* shall rove her wrong,( he said to himself, and threw him overboard.
0thers tried to rescue him, while Hagen reeatedly ushed him underwater. "he
struggling chalain turned back toward the shore, although he could not swim.
/iraculously he safely made his way to the bank.
Seeing this, Hagen now knew that he and his fellow knights were doomed to die.
After the ferryboat had been unloaded the last time, Hagen smashed it to ieces.
"he )ibelungs loaded their gear onto their horses and continued onward toward
Hungary. "he royal chalain made his way back to !urgundy on foot.
26-28
/any days later the )ibelungs arrived in Hungary, and they were received, for the
most art, with e2ected courtesy. &hen Kriemhild greeted the royal arty she
kissed only Giselher, her youngest brother. Hagen resonded to this slight by
tightening his helmet stras.
Kriemhild then addressed Hagen, (&hat have you brought me from the 'hine;
&here is the treasure of the )ibelungs; *t is rightfully mine. "hat is what you
should have brought here<(
(/y lords commanded that it be sunk in the 'hine,( relied Hagen, (and there it
shall remain forever<(
29-30
"ension between the )ibelungs and the Hungarians increased at every turn. Hagen,
esecially, became ever more reckless and rovocative. He aeared in ublic
wearing Siegfried+s sword !almung, which Kriemhild recogni4ed at once.
She confronted him forthwith. (&hy did you slay my husband;( she demanded.
(8es, it was * who killed Siegfried. * did so for the ain that you caused my
mistress !runhild,( admitted Hagen oenly, then added, (And if anyone dare
avenge this act, man or woman, then let him or her try<(
31
/eanwhile, King =t4el had reared a .ousting festival in honor of his guests. "he
celebration commenced on /idsummer+s #ay with a mass in the cathedral.
However, being heathens, the Hungarians sang the mass differently than did the
>hristians.
"hen the .ousting began, and at one of the first events a !urgundian knight named
Colker, armed with a ointed sear 6not a blunted one, as eaceful .ousting
re3uires7, ran his Hunnish oonent through, killing him instantly. "he dead
knight+s countrymen resonded with a great outcry, and would have attacked the
!urgundians forthwith had King =t4el not held them back. His sense of honor
would not allow guests at his court to be harmed. (*t was an accident,( he insisted.
(Colker+s horse stumbled, causing the misha.(
32
>ounter to her husband+s attemts at eacemaking, Kriemhild continued to lot
means to bring the !urgundians and the Hungarians into a full-itched battle, and
thus unish her brothers and Hagen for their comlicity in the death of her husband
and the theft of her treasure. Seeing no other way to start a fight between the two
armies, she had her son 0rtlieb brought forth. She knew that Hagen would react
violently against the young rince, seeing in him a future enemy with great ower,
and one who would carry out his mother+s wishes for revenge.
33-39
Kriemhild+s dreadful rediction came true. 1or the reasons foreseen by her, Hagen
flew into a rage when he saw her son. He drew his sword and with one blow cut off
the boy+s head.
A great slaughter ensued: Hungarians and )ibelungs battled against each other.
=ach side lost many brave warriors, but the )ibelungs were greatly outnumbered,
and in the end every one of them was killed. Gunther and Hagen were the last to
die. !oth were catured by the Hungarians. Kriemhild ordered that Gunther+s head
be cut off and then delivered to Hagen. 1ollowing this grisly act, Kriemhild herself,
now armed with the sword !almung, struck off Hagen+s head. Her revenge was
comlete, although it had come at a terrible rice.
0ne old knight, Hildebrand by name, serving at =t4el+s court, was horrified that
such a brave warrior as Hagen be killed by a woman. He drew his own sword and
killed Kriemhild.
King =t4el mourned deely.
* do not know what haened afterward. Here ends the story of the )ibelungs+ last
stand.