Hildebrand

Hildebrand or Hildibrand was the tutor and master-at-arms of Dietrich of Verona. Hildebrand was the son of Reginbald, who was the son of the Duke of Fenidi (Venice).

Hildebrand received knighthood at the age of 12 from his father. When he was 30, he left his home to serve King Thetmar in Bern. There he met Dietrich (Thidrek) who was only five years old at the time. From then on they became the best of friends, and it was he who trained Dietrich in the art of combat and war.

As a vassal of Thidrek, his shield was red and he had the emblem of a white castle with golden towers. The castle represented that of Bern. He later carried Sigurd's sword, Gram, after the death of Hogni.

Hildebrand joined Dietich in exile in the court of King Etzel, when Ermanaric captured Bern. Hildebrand had a hot-headed nephew named Wolfhart, who was a vassal to Dietrich.

In the battle between Etzel's warriors and the Burgundians, Dietrich wanted to remain neutral, since Hagen was his old friend (when Hagen was Etzel's hostage).

Dietrich heard news that Rudiger had joined in the battle against the Burgundians and that his friend had died in the fighting. Dietrich sent Hildebrand and his men to the Burgundian kings, to peacefully investigate the news.

When Hildebrand discovered from Hagen that Rudiger was indeed dead, he wanted to recover Rudiger's body for decent burial, but Volker provoked Dietrich's men into joining the conflict. The renewed fighting decimated the Nibelungs (Burgundians) and the Amelungs (Dietrich's warriors). Wolfhart died after killing Giselher, while Hildebrand killed Volker. Only Gunther and Hagen were alive among the Burgundians, while Hildebrand was the sole survivor of the Amelungs.

Hagen wounded Hildebrand, who fled back to Dietrich with the dire news. Dietrich reprimanded Hildebrand for fighting against the Burgundians, since he did not want to fight his Burgundian friends. But Dietrich was shocked that all his warriors except Hildebrand were dead.

Dietrich single-handedly fought and captured Gunther and Hagen; he had them bound as prisoners to Kriemhild. Dietrich wanted to set them free and escort them back to Burgundy, but Kriemhild broke his word. Kriemhild had her brother Gunther and Hagen killed.

Their death upset both Etzel and Dietrich. With Etzel's consent, Hildebrand cut her down with his sword.

According to the Thidrekssaga, Hildebrand died from illness.

Hildebrand was the subject of another tale called Hildebrandslied ("Song of Hildebrand"), in which he came into conflict with his son, Hadubrand. Unfortunately, the ending of the poem is lost. It is believed that Hildebrand killed his own son in single combat.

There is also another, similar poem called Jüngres Hildebrandslied (c. 13th century), where the father and son recognised one another and were reconciled. Hildebrand finally returned home to his wife after 32 years in exile with Dietrich.

In the later German poem however, the Younger Lay of Hildebrand from the 15th century concluded with the reconciliation between Hildebrand and his son Hadubrand. There is a slightly different version found in the Thidrekssaga.