Witege (Viðga)

German hero in the legend of Dietrich/Thidrek. Witege was the son of the famous craftsman or smith named Wayland and Bödvild, the daughter of King Nídud of Sweden. In the Norse legend, he was Viðga, son of Völund. Other variations of his name include – Vidia, Widga, Wade.

In the Nibelungenlied, Witege was only mentioned as the slayer of Nuodung, a kinsman of Gotelind, the wife of Margrave Rudiger.

The Norwegian saga Thiðrekssaga told a more detailed account of his life as Viðga, the son of Velent (Wayland or Volund). Viðga was one of the few warriors to defeat the hero Thiðrek (Dietrich) in single combat, because he was armed with Mimung, the sword that his father had made. Nevertheless, Viðgaga became one of the earliest companions of Thiðrek, often fighting side by side with him.

Viðga's equipment was white, and his shield had a red symbol of a hammer and tongs, indicating the origin of his father. There was also three carbuncle-stones on his shield, representing his mother. His father also made a strong byrnie (mail shirt) and helmet with a red-gold snake painted on the crown.

However, when Viðga married Bolfriana, the widow of Aki Amlungatrausti, who was the half-brother of Erminrek (Ermanaric), Viðga became a powerful vassal of Erminrek. When war erupted between Erminrek and his nephew Thiðrek, Viðga had no choice but to fight against his friend.

In the battle that followed, Viðga slew Nauðung, the brother-in-law of Rodingeir (Rudiger). Then Viðga killed the two sons of Attila and Erka (Helche), Ortvin and Erp, who were under the protection of Thiðrek. Thether, the brother of Thiðrek, tried to avenge the two princes' death. Viðga was reluctant to fight Thether because he did not want to anger Thiðrek. Yet Viðga had to fight, so in the end he killed Thether and incurred Thiðrek's enmity.

Thiðrek, hearing the news of the death of his own brother and Attila's sons, was grief-stricken. Thiðrek pursued Viðga, who refused to confront his old friend. Vidga ran his horse into the lake, but before he could either escape or drown, Thiðrek hurled his spear, which killed him.

Thiðrek was so distraught over the death of Attila's sons that Queen Erka had to comfort the hero, and attached no blame for their deaths. Erka, however, died shortly after the battle, due to illness.