Thiðreks saga

The Thiðrekssaga was written around 1205, which was about the same time as the Nibelungenlied (c. 1200). The "Saga of Thiðrek" was based on the adventures of the great German hero Thiðrek, who was known in German legend as Dietrich of Verona (Bern).

There are a number of German epics about Dietrich, but the Norwegian Thiðrekssaga contains the most complete tale of the life of Thiðrek (Dietrich) and his companions, from his birth to his disappearance. Thiðrek was loosely based on the historical Theodoric the Great (AD 454-526), the Ostrogoth king, who ruled Italy after Odoacer (AD 433-493), in AD 493. Theodoric died in AD 526. Theodoric was hardly a hero, as German legends depicted him.

The interesting thing is that Thiðrekssaga also incorporated some parts of the tale of the hero Sigurd and the Burgundian family known as the Niflungs. The episodes of Sigurd and the Niflungs contain a mixture of both Norse and German traditions. So some parts resemble the Icelandic Volsunga Saga and the Eddas, with elements that follow the Norse tradition. Most of the other parts remain true to the Germanic legends, such as the Nibelungenlied.

The Thiðrekssaga is a fairly large narrative, with so many different exploits from various heroes that it would be impossible for me to tell it in full. For this reason, I have left out a few episodes where it doesn't relate to either Thidrek or to the legend of the Niflungs (Nibelungs).

• House of Amelungs

• Rise of Attila

• Early Adventures of Thiðrek

• Death of Osantrix

• Childhood of Sigurd

• Wooings of Grimhild and Brynhild

• Enmity of Thidrek and Eriminrek

• Death of Sigurd

• Fall of the Niflungs

• Thidrek Returns Home

• End of the Age

House of Amelungs

Before the Thiðrekssaga begins with Thiðrek's adventure, we have a brief account about his grandfather, Samson.

• Samson

• Erminrek and Thetmar

Samson

The saga of Thidrek began with Samson, Thidrek's grandfather. Samson was a young knight serving under Earl Rodgeir of Salerni (Salerno). At that time, Samson was the best and bravest knight in the world. Almost as tall as a giant.

Earl Rodgeir had a daughter named Hildisvid, whom Samson fell in love with. So while Rodgeir was absent, Hildisvid was easily persuaded by the powerful knight to elope with him. So Samson carried her off, Hildisvid bringing all her clothing and jewellery with her.

When Rodgeir returned home to find his daughter and knight missing, he grieved in shame, so he set out with his men to track down Samson. Samson attacked him, killing Rodgeir and 15 of his knights. The others fled with the death of their earl.

When King Brunstein heard of his brother's death, he set out against Samson, though he couldn't find the knight. However, Samson stormed Brunstein's castle one night, killing and wounding many. Brunstein fled in panic with a few knights out of his castle and into the forest.

Brunstein came upon a small house in the forest, where he recognised and confronted his niece Hildisvid for betraying her father. He ordered Hildisvid to join him, which she refused, because he was a dead man anyway. Brunstein heard this and saw Samson charging towards him. Samson delivered a mighty blow with his sword that cleaved Brunstein's helmet in half, splitting the head right down to the shoulders. Samson killed Brunstein's other five knights and severely wounded another.

Samson and his wife encountered a company of knights led by Thetmar, Samson's uncle. Thetmar had come to serve him. When Samson came before the cities of Brunstein and Earl Rodgeir, each city surrendered to him, without resistance. One city had heard of his deeds and decided to appoint Samson as their duke. Another city had him crowned as their king. Samson became the King of Salerni. Samson now ruled the lands of Brunstein and Rodgeir.

Erminrek and Thetmar

Samson and Hildisvid had two sons. The eldest was Erminrek (Ermanaric), who grew to be a strong and handsome man. His other son was named after his uncle, as Thetmar. By this time, Samson had conquered many kingdoms and captured many cities, establishing a fairly large empire in the west.

Samson gave Erminrek twelve cities from Spain, which he had captured during his conquests. Samson insisted that if Erminrek wanted to rule more, he would have to conquer kingdoms himself, without any more help from Samson.

When Thetmar heard this, he insisted that he too should receive some lands from his father. However, Samson didn't answer his son, because he was angry with Thetmar.

Samson gathered his army, sending his knights to demand tribute from Earl Elsung of Bern (Verona) in Elsungland. Since Elsung had refused previous demands, Samson insisted that Elsung's daughter should be his tribute, along with sixty noble maidens and sixty knights. Elsung's daughter was named Odila, and she was to be Thetmar's concubine.

Elsung refused to give in to such outrageous demands for tribute, so the king had Samson's envoy taken into custody. Four knights of Salerni were beheaded, and the last knight had his hand severed and returned to Samson with his refusal. Elsung then prepared for the defence of his city.

Three months later, two massive armies met. Although there were high casualties on both sides, Samson was gaining the upper hand. Seeing this bravery, Elsung attacked the old king, managing to wound his enemy's shoulder. However, Samson ended the combat and the battle when he lopped off Elsung's head. Elsung's warriors immediately surrendered when they saw that their earl had fallen.

Thetmar received Bern and all of the land of Elsung from his father, taking the title of king. Thetmar also married Odila, Elsung's daughter. Thetmar had two sons, Thidrek (known to the Germans as Dietrich) and Thether; they also had a daughter named Isolde.

Samson had a third son who was named Aki and was known as the Protector of the Amelungs (Aki Amlungatrausti), who received the city of Fritila (Fidsaela).

It should be noted that here, in the Thidrekssaga, the name Amelungs referred to Erminrek and his family, who would later become enemies of Thidrek (Dietrich) of Bern. However in other German legends, the Amelungs usually referred to Dietrich (Thidrek) and his followers, who went into exile with the hero of Bern (Verona).

Rise of Attila

• Vilkinaland and Rusland

• Wooing of Erka

Vilkinaland and Rusland

In Vilkinaland (which is Sweden and Gautland), a king named Vilkinus ruled a mighty empire that included Sjaland and Jutland (Denmark). Such was his power that he demanded tribute from another empire ruled by King Hertnid and his brother Hirdir that included Rusiland (the kingdom of Swedish Vikings in Russia), Greece, Hungary and Austria. Instead of tribute, Vilkinus was facing a war. Although Vilkinus defeated Hertnid, he allowed his enemy to keep his kingdom, provided he received annual tribute from Hertnid.

One day, Vilkinus slept with a woman who was actually a mermaid. This mermaid followed him to his kingdom, where she gave birth to Vadi. The mermaid left shortly after her son was born. However, Vadi was no ordinary human, because he grew and grew, for he was a giant. Vadi was the father of Velent (Wayland). Vilkinus also had another son named Nordian.

When Vilkinus died, Nordian succeeded his father. Hertnid decided to free his kingdom, and defeated the Vilkinmen. Now Nordian was forced to become Hertnid's vassal and pay tribute to his father's former enemy. Hertnid now ruled both Vilkinaland and Rusiland, and Nordian was only left with Zealand.

By his wife, he had two sons, Osantrix and Valdimar. Another son, Ilias, was by his mistress.

Hertnid allowed Osantrix to rule in his place in Vilkinaland, when he became old and infirm. He gave Valdimar all of Rusiland and Poland, and Ilias received Greece.

When Juliana, wife of Osantrix, died, he decided to marry Oda, daughter of Milias, king of Hunland. When Osantrix sent six knights as ambassadors to Milias, the Hunnish king threw them in the dungeon, because he thought the demands and threats from his daughter's suitor were outrageous.

Osantrix decided to send another set of ambassadors with gifts and offer of friendship, but Milias also threw the new messengers in prison. So Osantrix decided to send a third set of ambassadors, with his cousin Hertnid, son of Ilias, in charge.

Osantrix decided to go Milias, disguised as the chieftain Thidrek (not to be confused with the hero of Bern). Osantrix managed to free Hertnid and his men from dungeon, and abducted Oda. Oda was willing to marry Osantrix. They had two daughters named Erka (Helche) and Berta.

Wooing of Erka

After the marriage, there was a reconciliation between the two kings. Milias ruled Hunland until he died. Osantrix should have inherited Milias' kingdom, because of his marriage to his wife, but a powerful prince was eyeing Hunland.

In the land of Frisia, there was a king named Osid who had two sons, Ortnid and Attila. Attila had been raiding Hunland for a while, since Milias had become feeble with age. When Milias died, Attila took Hunland before Osantrix could. There was a long enmity between Attila and Osantrix.

The people of Hunland willingly submitted to Attila as their king. Milias' capital was in Valterborg, but Attila moved it to Susa, which is now called Soest. When Osnid died, Attila's brother Ortnid became king of Frisia. Ortnid had a son named Osid, after his grandfather, but Osid was brought up in his uncle's court in Susa.

One day, Attila sent Osid and a chieftain/duke named Rodolf to ask for the hand of Erka (Helche), daughter of his archenemy Osantrix. However the ambassadors failed to impress Osantrix, so they returned home with the bad news.

So Attila sent Rodingeir, duke of Bakalar, whom the Germans knew as Rudiger. The second embassy ended in failure, so Attila's troops raided Vilkinaland before defeating the Vilkin army.

Later, Rudolf returned to Vilkinaland, this time disguised as Sigurd, (not to be confuse with the hero), and managed to secretly persuade Erka to marry Attila instead of King Nordung of Svava, whom Osantrix favoured. Rodolf spirited Erka and her sister Berta away to Hunland. Though Osantrix pursued them because of Rodolf's treachery (as Sigurd), he was forced to end the pursuit when Attila brought a larger army to aid Rodolf.

Erka married Attila and had two sons, Erp and Ortvin.

Early Adventures of Thiðrek

With Thetmar as king of Bern and married to Odila, he became the father of the great hero Thiðrek (Dietrich). Thiðrek grew larger and stronger than most boys of the same age.

In a way, Thiðrek was sort of like King Arthur, who had the knights of the Round Table as his companions; so Thiðrek gathered powerful allies and companions who were heroes in their own right.

Of Thidrek's companions, three of them played important roles in Thidrek's life as well as in the saga. They were Hildibrand (Hildebrand), Heimir and Vidga. There were many other companions, but I will only briefly mention them.

• Hildebrand

• Heimir

• Vidga

• Other Comrades

Hildebrand

Hildebrand was the first to become Thiðrek's companion. Hildebrand was the son of Reginbald and grandson of the Duke of Fenidi (Venice). Hildebrand was not only a strong and excellent knight, he was also wise and loyal.

When he was thirty, Hildebrand decided to leave his father's court, since he couldn't become famous by staying at home. So he informed his father that he had decided to serve King Thetmar in Bern. Hildebrand only took fifteen knights with him.

Thetmar welcomed Hildebrand to his court, and was delighted to have such a great knight to serve as his vassal. Thiðrek, who was only five at the time, was placed under Hildebrand's tutelage. Hildebrand became Thiðrek's foster father and mentor. He taught and trained the boy in everything he knew about knighthood, so when Thiðrek reached the age of twelve, no one could surpass him in the skills of arms. Thetmar dubbed his son into knighthood at this age.

Hildebrand accompanied Thiðrek in the hero's first adventure. When Thiðrek was out hunting in the woods, he encountered a dwarf named Alfrek, whom he captured. In return for his release, Alfrek told Thiðrek of a magnificent sword called Naglhring, as well as other treasures. However these treasures were possessed by two powerful beings, Hild and her husband Grim. Hild was actually stronger than her husband.

Thiðrek sent the dwarf to steal Naglhring, which Alfrek did as ordered before he vanished. Armed with this mighty sword, Thiðrek and Hildebrand sought out the treasure of Hild and Grim.

Grim was distressed when he found that someone had stolen Naglhring. Nevertheless, he was undaunted by the intruders. Grim picked up the large log and attacked Thiðrek and Hildebrand.

Hildebrand had a hard time, because Hild wrestled with him, almost crushing him to death. To save his foster father, Thiðrek beheaded Grim with his new sword, before he attacked Grim's wife. Although Thiðrek cut Hild into two pieces, she was like a troll, and the two pieces would magically rejoin, restoring and healing her body.

Hildebrand, seeing this, advised his foster son about how to kill Hild. When Thiðrek struck Hild a third time with his sword, he stepped on the two pieces so they couldn't rejoin. This was how Hild died.

Thiðrek and Hildebrand helped themselves to the treasure of Hild and Grim. Among the treasure was a wondrous helmet, which Thiðrek called Hildigrim, named after Hild and Grim.

Thiðrek won great glory and fame in killing Hild and Grim, so that he became known throughout the world.

Heimir

However, fame could bring more trouble than it was sometimes worth. With fame as a warrior, other warriors were likely to challenge and test their strength.

In the land of Svava, there was a city called Saegard, which was ruled by Brynhild. Outside of this city, in the forest was a farm which Studas took care of. Studas only had one son, who was also named Studas. However, the younger Studas didn't want to become a farmer like his father. Although the younger Studas was short, he was the strongest of men, even though he was only twelve at that time. Studas the Younger preferred hunting and fighting, so he wished to become a warrior or a knight.

Studas the Younger decided to call himself Heimir, which was the name of the most fearsome dragon in the world. Heimir had heard of young Thiðrek's fame, so he wished to challenge the prince of Bern to a duel. Since Studas the Elder could not dissuade his son from this foolhardy adventure, he gave his best horse, named Rispa, to Heimir, and a mighty sword called Blodgang.

So Heimir set out for Bern, seeking out Thiðrek. Heimir insolently challenged Thiðrek to a duel. Like the medieval tournament, the two knights jousted. In the first two jousts, neither warrior could unhorse the other, but on the third pass, Thiðrek wounded and unhorsed Heimir.

When Thiðrek dismounted, they fought one another with swords and shields. They fought until Heimir swung his sword overhead and struck Thiðrek's helmet (Hildigrim), but the blade (Blodgang) broke in two. Since Heimir was now weaponless, he surrendered to Prince Thiðrek. Thiðrek, who marvelled at Heimir's strength, decided to make Heimir his vassal and a friend.

Vidga

The hero Vidga (Witege) was the son of the great smith Velent (Wayland). Actually, a whole chapter was devoted to Velent in the Thidrekssaga, which is very similar to the Icelandic poem Volundarkvida (Poetic Edda) – the "Lay of Volund". Volund is a Norse or Icelandic name for Wayland. I will only briefly go over the life of Wayland here, but if you wish to read more, then I would suggest that you see Wayland, in the German Heroes page.

Velent (Volund or Wayland) was a son of the giant Vadi, who was a descendant of Vilkinus, king of Sjoland (Zealand, an island in Denmark). Vadi sent his son Mimir to learn the trade of a smith when Velent was still a boy. Mimir was a great master smith, but Velent was soon to outdo his master. Velent would later find himself serving King Nidung, but the king was treacherous when Velent fell out of favour with him. Rather than banish Velent, Nidung did not want the smith to leave, so he cut off Velent's sinews so the smith could not escape. Velent forged the best sword in the world, known as Mimung. Velent used Mimung to kill Nidung's two sons. Velent also seduced the king's daughter, who fell pregnant. Velent escaped by creating mechanical wings that allowed him to fly away. When Nidung died from shame and sorrow, Velent reconciled with the king's surviving son, and Velent married the princess. The princess gave birth to a son, which Velent named Vidga (Witege in German legend).

When Vidga was twelve, he grew strong and skilled in combat. Vidga decided to become a great warrior like Thiðrek. Before his son set out on his journey, Velent equipped Vidga with armour and a weapon that he had made himself. Most important was his own sword, Mimung, which he gave to his son. Velent also gave him a helmet, a byrnie (mail shirt) and a shield. Velent also gave his horse Skemming to his son.

Vidga set out to find Thiðrek, and he encountered Hildebrand and his two companions, Heimir and the Earl Hornbogi. At first, Hildebrand mistook Vigda to be a dwarf. Hildebrand befriended Vigda and they became foster-brothers. Hildebrand escorted the young hero to Thiðrek. Hildebrand was very impressed with the way Vigda defeated twelve robbers of Briktan castle. During the encounter, Hildebrand had secretly switched Vidga's sword with an ordinary blade.

The moment Vidga met Thiðrek, he challenged the prince of Bern. Hildebrand failed to make peace between the two young heroes. First, they fought like knights, charging at each other with long lances. Vidga's lance shattered upon Thiðrek's shield. However, Vidga hacked off Thiðrek's lance when the prince charged at Vidga again. So they dismounted and fought on foot with their swords.

Although Vidga fought boldly with the bogus Mimung (sword), this sword broke when Vidga struck the helm of Thiðrek. Hildebrand tried to stop the fight, now that Vidga was weaponless, but Thiðrek refused to spare his opponent. So Hildebrand returned Mimung to Vidga.

With this sword in hand, Vidga gained the upper hand in the duel. Vidga hacked Thiðrek's shield to pieces, and Thiðrek's helmet no longer offered any more protection.

Thetmar, Thiðrek's father, who had watched the combat, tried to end it, but Vidga refused to spare Thiðrek, because Thiðrek had refused to spare him when he was losing. Hildebrand finally became concerned when Thiðrek's helmet (Hildigrim) split from the might sword stroke. Only then did Hildebrand intervene; Vidga was far more magnanimous than Thiðrek, because he agreed to end the duel because of his friendship to Hildebrand.

Vidga became Thiðrek's latest companion.

Other Comrades

There were many other companions who joined Thidrek's inner circle. Each one was a great warrior.

Shortly after his confrontation with Vidga, he encountered Ekka, whom the hero killed in the forest of Osning, despite the fact that Thidrek was still recovering from the wounds he received from Vidga. Thidrek won his single combat, because Falka crippled Ekka when the horse saw that his master was in danger. From Ekka, he got himself a new sword, Ekkisax, which was forged by the same dwarf (Alfrek) as the Naglhring. Thidrek also took Ekka's fine armour.

Ekka had a brother named Fasold, whom Thidrek also defeated. Thidrek accepted Fasold's surrender and they became comrades-in-arms. Together, they killed an elephant in the forest of Rimslo.

They rescued Sistram, son of Reginbald and cousin of Hildebrand, from a dragon. Sistram also became Thidrek's companion, and together the three heroes returned to Bern, where Thidrek recounted his exploits.

There was a a slightly different account in Middle High German, in a verse titled Eckenlied, about Ecke (Ekka) and Fasolt (Fasold).

Joining Thidrek later was Thetleif the Dane. In Scania, a Danish king named Biterulf became the husband of Oda, daughter of the earl of Saxland, and the father of Thetleif.

His parents and the people in the court had no respect for Thetleif, because he spent most of his young life in the kitchen instead of receiving military training or learning how to rule, as a noble prince should learn. Thetleif however won their respect when he and his father defeated a gang of bandits led by Ingram, in the forest of Falstrskog.

A German poem existed, titled Biterolf und Dietleib. There, Biterulf was called Biterolf, king of Toledo, and Thetleif was Dietleib.

A tall, strong man came to Thidrek's court. His clothes were not of good quality and he possessed no armour or weapons, but he asked Thidrek to accept him as a vassal. He was named Vildifer from Amlungland. Despite having never heard of Vildifer's prowess as a warrior, Thidrek accepted the stranger, providing Vildifer with new clothing, armour, a weapon and a horse. He appointed him as his standard bearer - a high honour. Vidga and Vildifer became good friends.

Death of Osantrix

Bitter war raged between Attila and Osantrix. Osantrix was angry that not only had he lost his daughter to his enemy, but also he had also lost Hunland to Attila. They fought many battles and raided each other's lands.

Finally, Attila called upon Thidrek to aid him in the war. Although Thidrek and Attila managed to defeat Osantrix, a giant named Vidolf mittumstangi wounded Vidga. When Osantrix fled back to Vilkinaland, Duke Hertnid took Vidga as prisoner. Osantrix threw Vidga in his dungeon.

Vildifer decided to rescue Vidga. Since a minstrel could travel anywhere without being arrested, Isung decided to help Vildifer. Vildifer had recently killed a large brown bear, and used its hide to disguise himself as a bear. Isung would pretend that the bear was tame and well-trained, when they reached Osantrix's court.

Although Osantrix warmly welcomed Attila's minstrel, he wanted a little sport with Isung's bear, asking to turn his dogs upon the bear.

Vidga, upon hearing Isung's voice, decided to break free from his chains and imprisonment.

When Osantrix turned his hounds loose upon the bear (Vildifer), the hero killed quite a number of Osantrix's dogs, and the Vilkin king became angry and attacked the bear with his sword. But the byrnie that Vildifer wore underneath the bear's hide, protected him. Vildifer turned upon Osantrix, disarming and killing the king.

Isung helped Vildifer, and they killed some of Osantrix's knights.

Childhood of Sigurd

• Sigmund and Sisibe

• Mimir and Regin

• In Bertangaland

Sigmund and Sisibe

In the land of Tarlungaland, there was a king named Sigmund, son of Sifjan, who married Sisibe, daughter of King Nidung of Hispania (Spain). It wasn't long before Sisibe became pregnant.

However, her beauty attracted unwanted attention from Artvin, count of Svava. When Sigmund went to help his sister and brother-in-law Drasolf in a war against a neighbour, he left Artvin and Hermann in charge of his kingdom during his absence.

Artvin saw this as an opportunity to seduce the pregnant queen, but she rebuked him for betraying his king. Fearing that Sisibe would tell her husband, he decided to lie to the king about her unfaithfulness.

Hearing this, Sigmund was angry with his wife and told the two treacherous counts to take her into the forest and kill her.

Artvin and Hermann lured her into the woods, on the pretension that she was to meet her husband. Sisibe innocently followed them, only to discover they were there to kill her. Artvin wanted to rape her before he murdered the unfortunate queen. She cried and pleaded with the two counts.

Finally, Hermann felt pity for the queen, and the two friends became enemies. They fought each other with swords. In the fight, Sisibe went into labour and gave birth to a son, near the stream. She placed the baby in a crystal basket, as she watched the two counts fight to the death.

At this time, the fight was coming to a close. When Artvin fell near the queen, one foot kicked out, and the glass basket fell into the stream. Hermann took advantage of Artvin's fall, and cut off the count's head.

Poor Sisibe saw the stream carrying her child away, and fainted and died. Hermann buried the queen and returned fearfully to the king. Sigmund banished Hermann when he learned how Artvin and Sisibe had died, and and how he lost his son through their lies.

Mimir and Regin

The glass vessel drifted until it landed on an island. A hind, hearing the baby's cry, allowed the boy to suckle from her teat.

The boy grew fairly quickly after twelve months with the hind and its young. The boy was extremely strong and tall for his age; he was the same size as a boy of four years of age.

A famous smith named Mimir had a brother named Regin, who turned into the greatest of all dragons. Mimir was the same smith who taught Velent (Wayland), an even more famous smith; Velent was the father of Viðga (Witege).

Mimir was looking for charcoal on the island when he came across the boy with the hind. He marvelled that the boy was under the hind's care, so the smith decided to foster the child, since Mimir and his wife had failed to have a child of their own. Mimir named the boy Sigurd.

Sigurd continued to grow faster and stronger than other boys of the same age. By the time he was nine, he was even stronger than the mightiest of men. However, Sigurd was lazy and constantly bullying the apprentices of Mimir, including Ekkihard.

Finally fed up with Sigurd harassing his apprentices, Mimir instructed Sigurd to strike the hammer on a hot iron. Sigurd struck the iron, which destroyed the iron, but also the hammer, tongs and anvil. Mimir realised that his foster son was useless in the forge and certainly not fit to become a smith, and decided to have Sigurd killed.

Mimir secretly went to his brother's lair, and told the dragon (Regin) to kill his foster son. Giving an axe to Sigurd, as well as some food and wine, he sent his foster son into the forest to fetch him some wood.

On the first day, Sigurd ate and drank his entire food supply that should have lasted for nine days, but the young hero was still hungry. It was at this point that the dragon (Regin) came to Sigurd's campfire.

Seeing this dragon, Sigurd sprang to his feet, picked up the largest log in the fire and struck down Regin with one mighty blow. With the dragon down, he rained blow after blow, until Regin died. Then, picking up the wood axe, the young hero severed Regin's head.

Still feeling hungry, he decided to eat some of the dragon meat, so he put pieces of it into his cooking pot. As his stew boiled, he burned his fingers. He placed one of his fingers into his mouth to cool it down, and immediately he could understand the speech of the birds.

Sigurd heard two birds speaking how Sigurd should kill his foster father because Mimir had sent him to the woods, so that his brother the dragon would kill him.

Sigurd became wise, like the Irish hero Finn Mac Cumaill, who cooked and burned his thumb on the salmon of wisdom. Sigurd now knew of the special properties of Regin's blood. So Sigurd rubbed dragon blood on his body, so he would become invulnerable. His only vulnerable spot was the middle of his back, which he couldn't reach.

Sigurd returned home with intention of killing his treacherous foster father. Seeing this, Mimir tried to placate the boy with an offer of excellent armour and a weapon. Mimir equipped Sigurd with the finest byrnie (mail shirt), helmet and shield. When Sigurd received the best sword in the world, Gram, Sigurd used the sword to kill Mimir.

Mimir had told Sigurd that the finest horse in the world was Grani, a horse that belonged to a Valkyrie queen named Brynhild. So Sigurd went to Brynhild's castle.

After killing seven of Brynhid's guards, the Valkyrie welcomed the hero, who revealed that his name was Sigurd Sigmundsson, and that he was the son of Sigmund and Sisibe. Brynhild freely gave hospitality to Sigurd, as well as her horse, Grani.

Before they left, Sigurd promised to marry no other woman except her, while Brynhild made the same promise of not marrying any other man except him. Oaths that they couldn't keep.

In Bertangaland

Sigurd then went to Bertangaland, where he became the staff bearer of King Isung. Isung had eleven sons. Sigurd proved to be the best warrior of the land.

Around this time, Thidrek and his companions went to Bertangaland to test their prowess against Isung and his sons.

On Thidrek's side, apart from Thidrek's usual companions, Gunnar (Gunther) and Hogni (Hagen) also joined him at Bertangaland.

Gunnar was king of Niflungaland after the death of his father, Aldrian or Irung. Aldrian had other children with his wife, Oda (Uote in the German legend) - Gernoz and Gisler, and a daughter named Grimhild (Kriemhild or Gudrun). According to another passage of Thidrekssaga, Aldrian and Oda also had another son named Guthorm.

Oda had another son named Hogni, when she was seduced by an elf when she fell asleep in the garden, while her husband was drunk. Unlike his half-brothers, Hogni was ugly, almost like a troll, but he was very powerful.

Each of Thidrek's warriors would fight one of Isung's sons in a duel. On the first day, Heimir, Herbrand, Vildifer, Sistram, Fasold, Hornbogi and Hogni were defeated and made prisoners of Isung. Thetlief drew with Isung's ninth son, because of failing light, and only Amlung, son of Earl Hornbogi, was victor in the duel on Thidrek's side.

On the second day, Hildebrand was defeated by Isung's tenth son, and Gunnar fell to King Isung himself. Vidga was more successful against the king's eleventh son and managed to free all those held as prisoners.

The last duel was between Thidrek and Sigurd, but neither of them could gain the advantage over the other. They fought until evening fell. The two warriors decided to continue the duel the next morning, but they fought all day without deciding who was the better warrior.

So that night, Thidrek asked Vidga if he could borrow his sword Mimung. However, Sigurd refused to fight with Thidrek if the king promised that he was not wielding Mimung. Thidrek swore an oath that he was not holding Mimung (he planted the Vidga's sword on the ground behind him so that he was not holding the sword while swearing this oath).

They fought, but Sigurd soon realised that Thidrek had tricked him, so Sigurd surrendered to Thidrek and became Thidrek's vassal. There was peace between Thidrek and Isung and they became friends. They celebrated the wedding between Amlung and Isung's daughter Fallborg.

Wooings of Grimhild and Brynhild

After the duels in Bertangaland, Thidrek joined Gunnar, king of Niflungaland, as all of Thidrek's companions dispersed to their homes. Sigurd travelled with the two kings, and in their journey, Gunnar decided to marry his sister off to the young hero.

Grimhild (known as Gudrun in Icelandic texts or Kriemhild in German legends) was the sister of Gunnar and half-sister of Hogni.

Thidrek attended the wedding of Sigurd and Grimhild. Gunnar gave half of the kingdom to his new brother-in-law. Unlike the Icelandic legend, it was Sigurd himself who suggested that Gunnar should take Brynhild as a wife.

But Brynhild didn't want to marry any man except Sigurd. When they first met, Sigurd and Brynhild had promised each other they would marry one another. However, Sigurd broke his promise to Brynhild when he married Gunnar's sister instead. Sigurd favoured being married into the Niflung family because Brynhild had no brothers, so being Gunnar's brother-in-law, he would have powerful allies.

Brynhild reluctantly married Gunnar. There was a great celebration when Gunnar married Brynhild, but that night when the king wanted to sleep with his new wife, they wrestled until Brynhild bound his hands and feet, and hung him suspended on a peg till morning. Despite Gunnar being a powerful knight, Brynhild was the stronger of the two. Brynhild refused to lose her virginity to the husband she loathed.

The Lord of the Niflungs suffered the same humiliation on the second and then the third night. Gunnar dejectedly revealed to Sigurd his secret humiliation at the hand of his wife.

Sigurd was wise since he had tasted the dragon's blood, and knew that the source of Brynhild's superhuman strength came from her virginity; take away her virginity, and she would have no more strength than the average woman. Realising that he had no hope of sleeping with Brynhild, he asked Sigurd to secretly sleep with his wife, because he knew that Sigurd was the strongest man alive.

So that night, Sigurd secretly entered the Gunnar's chamber and raped Brynhild. Before he left her bed, he took the gold ring from Brynhild's finger, and replaced it with his own.

No one knew what Gunnar and Sigurd had secretly done. After that night, Gunnar had no problem sleeping with his wife.

Seven days after the feast of Gunnar's marriage to Brynhild, his royal and honoured guests returned home.

Enmity of Thidrek and Eriminrek

The war between Thidrek and Eriminrek was only briefly alluded to in the Nibelungenied.

Thidrek's expulsion from his kingdom was also found in a poem titled Dietrichs Flucht - "Dietrich's Flight", while the Battle of Gronsport was known in another German epic poem titled Die Rabenschlacht or "The Battle of Ravenna". These two poems formed the core of Dietrich's legend, and were set in a time before the Nibelungenlied.

• Eriminrek's New Vassal

• Revenge of Sifka

• Gathering of Thidrek's Forces

• Battle of Gronsport

• Death of Queen Erka

Eriminrek's New Vassal

Around this time, one of Attila's vassals named Earl Iron of Brandunaborg attempted to have an affair with Bolfriana of Drekanfil, wife of Aki Amlunggatrausti. Earl Iron was the son of King Artus and brother of Apollonius.

Previously, Iron helped Apollonius in a long running feud with King Salomon over his daughter Herborg. Iron, himself was married to Isolde, but she died shortly after Attila forced Apollonius and Iron to make peace with Salomon.

Earl Iron would later meet Bolfriana, whom he had fallen in love with. But Aki was a powerful duke of Lagobardland, because he was the half-brother of Erminrek and uncle of Thidrek. By his wife, Aki was the father of Egard and Aki. Aki discovered the letter that Earl Iron had sent to his unfaithful wife, to meet during his absence. Aki and his knights attacked and killed Earl Iron.

However, Aki Amlunggatrausti died not long after Earl Iron's death (the cause of death was not given). Thidrek suggested to his uncle that Bolfriana should marry his friend, Viðga (Witege). So Viðga became the vassal of Thidrek, which both men would soon regret.

Revenge of Sifka

Erminrek had a trusted adviser named Sifka, duke of Sarkastein. Sifka was the husband of the beautiful Odila, whom the king lusted for.

One night, while Sifka was out fighting a war for Erminrek, the king raped his counselor's wife. When Sifka returned home and found out that the king had disgraced his helpless Odila, he promised his wife that he would take revenge upon Erminrek.

Sifka advised the king to send his son Fridrek to Vilkinaland to demand tribute from Osantrix. On his journey to Vilkinaland, Fridrek was ambushed by a cousin of Sifka.

Then, Sifka set about bringing about the death of Erminrek's second son, Reginbald. Sifka convinced Erminrek to send his son to demand tribute from the king of England. Sifka convinced Reginbald to sail on a terrible ship, which broke up in the sea, and Reginbald and his men drowned.

Sifka then lied to the king about Erminrek's youngest son, Samson, wanting to force Sifka's daughter. In a rage, Erminrek killed his youngest son, who was still only a boy. It was only when Erminrek had killed his last son, that he learned that Reginbald had drowned.

Sifka was not satisfied with the death of Erminrek's three sons. Sifka now turned his attention to the sons of Aki Amlunggatrausti - Egard and Aki. Odila, wife of Sifka, slandered Erminrek's two nephews, accusing them of trying to seduce her. Erminrek sent his army to Fritila and captured Egard and Aki. Erminrek had his nephews hanged from the highest tree. Fritila was razed to the ground.

Viðga, as the stepfather of Egard and Aki, feared that he was also under suspicion, but Thidrek managed to established Viðga's innocence. Erminrek gave Viðga a city of Rana (Ravenna) to rule.

Now, Sifka plotted to be rid of Erminrek's other nephew, Thidrek. Sifka suggested to his king that Thidrek had too much independence, so Erminrek should demand tribute from Thidrek.

Thidrek refused to pay tribute to his uncle, so Erminrek gathered a large army against his nephew.

Viðga, realising that his friend was in danger, rode out to warn Thidrek. Although Viðga was now Erminrek's vassal, and not Thidrek's, he still had loyalty to Thidrek because of their friendship and because they were comrades in many adventures and wars.

Thidrek, realising that he was outnumbered, was forced to flee from his kingdom in Bern, with loyal friends and knights. They went northeast, first to Bakalar, the castle of Rodingeir, then to Susa, the capital of Hunland.

Attila and his wife, Queen Erka (Helche), warmly welcomed Thidrek. Because Thidrek had previously helped Attila in the war against Osantrix, Attila promised to aid Thidrek to regain his kingdom (Bern).

Gathering of Thidrek's Forces

Before Thidrek could move against his uncle, he helped Attila again against King Osantrix of Vilkinaland. In the battle against the Vilkinsmen, a kinsman of Thidrek, named Ulfrad, killed Osantrix.

Even though Thidrek and Attila defeated the Vilkinamen, they were faced with a new threat from King Valdimar of Holmgard (Novgorod), from Rusiland. Valdimar had a son named Thidrek Valdimarsson, who had seriously wounded Thidrek of Bern, in a duel. A month later, they fought again, but this time Thidrek killed Thidrek Valdimarsson. Thidrek helped Attila to defeat Valdimar's army and killed the king of Rusiland. Another man named Earl Iron, who was brother of Valdimar, surrendered Rusiland to Attila. Earl Iron became Attila's vassal, ruling Rusiland as a chieftain.

With the campaign in Rusiland ended, Attila turned his attention to helping Thidrek regain his kingdom in Bern and confronting the army of Erminrek.

When Thidrek had fled to Hunland, he brought with him his baby brother, Thether. Thether was brought up in Susa with two sons of Attila and Erka (Helche), Erp and Ortvin. Thether was a very close companion and foster brother of the two Hunnish princes, and they were inseparable.

So Thidrek was living in exile for twenty years before he could muster the forces to confront Erminrek. Queen Erka was his greatest supporter. She would send her sons with Thidrek as well as twelve hundred of her knights. Attila decided to send twenty-four hundred knights under the command of Margrave Rodingeir.

Before they left, Thether promised Queen Erka that he would protect her sons. It was Duke Naudung of Valkaborg, who commanded the forces that Erka sent with Erp and Ortvin. Erka also appointed Hjalprek, a kinsman of Thidrek, to protect the princes and Thether.

Battle of Gronsport

The three armies left Susa, heading towards Amlungland to confront Erminrek's forces at Gronsport. Thidrek learned from his kinsman Reinald that facing him, was the force led by Sifka. Reinald's own force would fight Margrave Rodingeir, and Viðga would fight against the force of Thether and the two sons of Attila. However, Viðga was very reluctant to fight against either his former companion Thidrek or prince Thether.

Thidrek was fighting at the centre against Sifka. Sifka cowardly fled when Valtari of Vaskastein, Erminrek's champion, fell to Vildifer. Valtari and Vildifer killed one another. Sifka and his men were routed, and Thidrek's force pursued his enemy, before turning back to the main fighting.

One of Thidrek's forces wasn't faring well. The army Duke Naudung was commanding was facing a tougher opponent, Viðga. Ortvin saw that Viðga had killed their uncle, Duke Naudung. Ortvin called upon Hjalprek to help him against Viðga, but they were both killed by Runga. Thether avenged his foster brother's death by slaying Runga, but only to see Viðga kill his other foster brother, Erp.

Grief tormented Thether when he realised that both sons of Queen Erka had been killed. He was determined to avenge their deaths, and charged at Thidrek's former companion. Viðga however didn't want to fight against Thidrek's brother, but couldn't convince Thether to withdraw.

Young Thether fought bravely. His blow to Viðga's head, failed to damage the helmet made by Viðga's father, the master smith Velent (Wayland). The blow glanced off Viðga's helmet and killed Shemming, Viðga's horse. His life in danger, Viðga had no choice but to kill Thether.

On the other side, Margrave Rodingeir and Ulfrad fought well against Reinald's force. However, Reinald killed his kinsman Ulfrad. This was not enough to save Erminrek from defeat, because Sifka had fled earlier with a large proportion of the army, especially when Reinald's own standard fell.

Thidrek would have pursued his enemy, but he learned news that the forces commanded by Duke Naudung had fallen. The Duke was dead, as well as his friend Hjalprek, the two sons of Attila and Erka, and his own brother was killed by Viðga.

With this news, Thidrek was consumed with grief for his brother and the sons of Attila. He was also filled with rage that Viðga, his friend and companion in many adventures, was their killer. So Thidrek rode after Viðga, hoping to avenge his brother.

Viðga, seeing Thidrek's approach, preferred to flee on Thether's horse than fight his friend. Viðga tried to convince Thidrek that he had no choice but to kill Thether, since he had to defend himself. The horse of Thether was no match to Falka, Thidrek's swift horse. Viðga's horse stumbled at the lake, and Viðga might have drowned if he had fallen off his horse, but Thidrek wanted to kill Viðga, so he hurled his lance. The spear killed Viðga, and the spear remained standing at the mouth of the river to this day.

Death of Queen Erka

Although Thidrek achieved a decisive victory over the Amlungs, he didn't follow up with his victory to reclaim his kingdom, because he was grieving over Erp and Ortvin, as much as he did for his own brother. Instead, Thidrek returned to Hunland with the army. So despite the victory in battle, Thidrek actually lost.

However, Thidrek refused to enter Susa, because of his grief and his failure to protect Erka's sons. Thidrek sent Margrave Rodingeir to Susa with all the news for Attila and Erka (Helche).

Although Attila and Erka grieved for their sons, they wanted to see Thidrek, but he refused to come into their presence. So Erka went to Thidrek, where she found him weeping. Erka comforted Thidrek and persuaded the hero to meet Attila.

Despite what happened in battle and the death of his sons, Attila welcomed the exiled prince. Attila and Thidrek remained friends. Thidrek remained in Susa, as Attila's guest, which he would later regret.

Two years after the Battle of Gronsport, Erka died from an unknown illness. Before she died, she said her farewell to Thidrek and Hildibrand, as well as to her husband. The Queen gave Thidrek fifteen marks of red gold and her niece the Lady Herad (Herrat) to marry.

Erka told Attila that he must remarry, but the Queen warned him not to choose Grimhild as his wife, because Sigurd, Grimhild's husband, was recently murdered by her brothers. A marriage to Grimhild would bring about Attila's own downfall, Erka foretold. See the next article about the Death of Sigurd.

After this foretelling, Queen Erka died. She was given a great funeral, and many in Hunland grieved for her death.

Death of Sigurd

The hero Sigurd lived in Vernisa (Worms?) in Niflungaland with his wife Grimhild and her brothers. Gunnar shared half of his kingdom with his mighty son-in-law. Sigurd had loyally served Gunnar in both counsel and in wars against the enemies of Niflungs. With Sigurd's help, Gunnar had managed to enlarge his territories.

There was however hostility and tension between the two queens, Brynhild and Grimhild. Brynhild had not forgiven Sigurd for marrying Grimhild instead of her. At first, most of Brynhild's hostility was towards her sister-in-law.

One day, Brynhild asked Grimhild why she was standing so proud like a queen. Grimhild replied that she was a queen, since her mother was a queen of this land before her. Brynhild told Grimhild that there could only be one queen, and that since Gunnar was her husband, she was the Queen. Sigurd, Brynhild said superiorly, was nothing more than Gunnar's lowly vassal.

Grimhild reteliated with that she knew who had taken Brynhild's virginity. Brynhild loftily replied that it was Gunnar who had taken her maidenhood. Grimhild foolishly answered that it wasn't true, saying that the one who took Brynhild's virginity was also the one who took Brynhild's gold ring, and it was Sigurd who had first slept with Brynhild, not her husband.

Brynhild thought that Grimhild was a fool, until she saw her missing ring on Grimhild's finger. Brynhild was horrified and humiliated when she recognised her own ring, and that her husband had Sigurd take away her virginity and her superhuman strength.

Brynhid went to her husband, as well as her two brothers-in-law, and revealed what Grimhild had told her. Gunnar promised his wife that they would deal with this.

So Gunnar plotted with Hogni and Gernoz on how they would kill Sigurd. Hogni suggested that they lure the hero on a hunting trip. Hogni promised that he would slay Sigurd, and Brynhild promised that he would receive Sigurd's treasure, the fabled red gold of the dragon Regin.

So Gunnar arranged the hunting expedition. While they took a break after a long chase near the spring, Gunnar took a drink of water, lying on his stomach. Sigurd followed suit, lying down so that he could drink water from the stream.

In this vulnerable position, Hogni took one of the spears and drove it into Sigurd's back between the shoulders; this was the only vulnerable spot that Sigurd couldn't rub the dragon's blood.

Had Sigurd known of this treachery, he would have defended himself and easily killed his brothers-in-law. Sigurd died. They brought his body home, and Brynhild instructed them to throw his body to Grimhild.

Grimhild woke from her sleep to find her husband dead. She knew that it was Hogni who had murdered him. Brynhild could be heard laughing over Sigurd's death.

Grieving over the loss of Sigurd, Grimhild had her people loyal to her and Sigurd, bury her husband.

Fall of the Niflungs

There are a great deal of similarities in this section of the Thidrekssaga with the Nibelungenlied, concerning the Fall of the Nibelungs.

The death of Gunnar only bears a very little resemblance to the Icelandic text, because in the Volsunga Saga, Gunnar died in the snake pit.

• Wedding of Attila and Grimhild

• Journey to Hunland

• The Last Stand of the Niflungs

• Death of Hogni

Wedding of Attila and Grimhild

Attila, hearing that Grimhild was a widow, decided that she would become his wife, forgetting his previous wife's dire warning not to marry a woman from Niflungaland. So Attila sent Osid of Herraland to Vernisa, with the proposal of marriage to Grimhild.

Unlike the Icelandic tales, Grimhild accepted only if her brothers agreed to marriage to Attila. Gunnar was pleased with his sister's answer, and Osid returned with the answer, as well as the splendid golden helmet and armour that once belonged to the hero Sigurd as dowry.

Some time later, Attila came to Niflungaland, where the wedding took place at Vernisa (Worms). Thidrek and Margrave Rodingeir attended the wedding. Gunnar gave Grani, Sigurd's horse, to Thidrek, while Rodingeir received Gram, Sigurd's sword.

After the wedding, Grimhild traveled with her new husband and Thidrek to her new home in Susa. The wedding wasn't a happy one, because every day, Grimhild wept and mourned over the death of her husband Sigurd. A year later, Grimhild had a son, whom she named after her father, Aldrian.

Journey to Hunland

Seven years after the marriage of Attila and Grimhild, she revealed the countless red gold of the Niflung treasure. Knowing her husband's avarice for gold, she told Attila that Sigurd's gold rightfully belonged to her. As her husband, Attila also had rights to the gold.

Hearing about this gold, Attila decided that they would invite Gunnar to a great feast in Susa, hoping to win the Niflung treasure.

So Attila sent messages to Gunnar, asking them to come to the feast. Hogni was against Gunnar going to Susa, because he suspected their sister of treachery, and he didn't trust the king of the Huns. Oda, their mother, was also against her sons attending the feast at Susa, because she had a dream that the Niflungs would fall. Gunnar would not listen to either his brother or mother.

So Gunnar journeyed to Hunland with twelve hundred knights, as well as Gernoz, Gisler and Hogni. Their journey was very much like that in the Nibelungenlied where several people, both mortal and immortal, warned them to turn back. Hogni, who was against the journey in the first place, was now stubbornly ignoring the warnings from mermaids and the ferryman. Hogni was not happy with their warnings, killing the mermaids, and then the ferryman.

When they arrived at Bakalar, they warmly welcomed Gunnar and the Niflungs, but the Margrave Rodingeir also failed to dissuade them to attend the feast.

Gudilinda, wife of Rodingeir and sister of Duke Naudung, warned the Niflungs that Grimhild was still weeping over Sigurd's death, and was most likely plotting to destroy them, but Gunnar still wouldn't turn back.

During their stay in Bakalar, Rodingeir married his daughter to Gisler, Gunnar's youngest brother. Rodingeir gave Gram, Sigurd's sword, to Gisler as a wedding gift. Hogni received the shield of Duke Naudung.

Then Rodingeir personally escorted to the Niflungs to Susa, where Attila and their sister welcomed them. Before they arrived, Grimhild was still grieving over Sigurd.

The Last Stand of the Niflungs

When they arrived at Attila's court, Thidrek went out to greet the Niflungs, and warned Hogni that Grimhild might cause trouble to her brothers.

Grimhild would only give her youngest brother, Gislher, a kiss. She then coldly asked Hogni if he brought Sigurd's treasure, which rightfully belonged to her. Hogni cruelly told her that he only brought his enmity for her.

When she sat between Gislher and Gunnar, she began to weep again over Sigurd, accusing Hogni of destroying her happiness. Hogni coldly rebuked his half-sister that she have been married for seven years to Attila, a very powerful king, and that she should forget Sigurd.

Later, Grimhild asked help for vengeance from Thidrek, and later Duke Blodlin, a kinsman of Attila, but both refused. Only, Earl Irung promised to help avenge her dishonour, in return for enough red gold to fill his shield.

Now that his Niflung guests had arrived, Attila was reluctant to attack his guests or make rude demands for the gold from his guests. It was only when they sat down at the tables of the great feast that Attila's reluctance changed to anger at the Niflungs.

Grimhild was unscrupulous enough to her use own son to start hostilities between the Huns and Niflungs. Grimhild persuaded Aldrian to strike his uncle Hogni in the chin with his fist. Hogni caught the boy before Aldrian could dart away. Though, Hogni knew that this was his half-sister's doing, he used his sword take off his nephew's head, throwing the head at the Queen.

This sparked Attila to react, calling on his warriors to kill the Niflungs and avenge his son's death. The Niflungs and Huns fought each other with weapons. Earl Irung went into the Niflungs' sleeping quarters, killing all of the squires. Many Niflung warriors were killed in the courtyard, because Grimhild had spread raw hides on the floor, causing the Niflungs to fall and be killed.

Thidrek and Margrave Rodingeir refused to take sides. They tried to remain neutral.

The Niflungs found that they were trapped in the hall, so they broke out on to the courtyard. Gunnar got separated from his brothers, and Duke Osid captured him. In this tale, he was the first to fall, whereas in the Nibelungenlied, Gunther (Gunnar) was the second last to die, but he was actually last to die in the Icelandic version (in both the Volsunga Saga and the Eddaic texts). In that tale, Attila ordered him to be cast in the snake pit, where he died.

By nightfall, three hundred and sixty Niflung men out of twelve hundred had died. At least twice the number of Huns had fallen to Niflung weapons, but there were many times more Hunnish warriors joining the battle. Gernoz, Grimhild's brother, managed to slay Blodlin. It was only after Blodlin's death that Margrave Rodingeir decided to turn against his Niflung friends.

With Grimhild's encouragement, Earl Irung wounded Hogni. With his sword, he struck so that the byrnie split, slicing away some flesh, before darting away. Grimhild praised Irung's boldness, and tied two gold rings to Irung's helmet. She urged Irung, this time, to take Hogni's head. Irung wasn't so lucky the second time, because Hogni drove his spear through Irung's chest.

Rodingeir confronted his son-in-law, Gislher. Gislher killed the margrave with the very sword that Rodingeir had given to the young warrior. Attila's men faltered with Rodingeir's death. Gernoz and Gislher took advantage of this, and with Hogni and Folkher they began driving the Huns back.

Rodingeir's death also caused Thidrek to now join the battle with the Amlungs. Rodingeir had been Thidrek's dear friend. Both sides were losing more men. Hildibrand was still a very formidable warrior, killing the younger Gernoz with his sword Lagulf.

Death of Hogni

While Thidrek faced Hogni, in a different area, Hildibrand mortally wounded Gislher. The single combat between two old friends lasted for a long while. Thidrek was becoming frustrated that he had not yet defeated Hogni. He was so angry that flame flew from Thidrek's mouth, burning Hogni in his byrnie. Being badly burned, Hogni surrendered to King Thidrek.

Grimhild took great delight that her brothers were dead. To make sure that they were dead, the vengeful Queen approached Gernoz's fallen body, thrusting a burning stick into her brother's mouth. Gernoz was already dead, so there was no reaction from him.

However, when Grimhild thrust the same flaming brand into Gislher's mouth, her dying brother perished.

Thidrek seeing how Grimhild treated her brothers, spoke out to Attila against the Queen. Attila agreed that his wife was the cause of so many deaths, and would not object if Thidrek were to kill her.

So Thidrek attacked Grimhild, cutting the Queen in half with Ekkisax, his sword.

Thidrek took the wounded Hogni to his home in Susa. Although Hogni could not be saved, he did sire a son named Aldrian, from his nurse Herrad. Before he died, Hogni gave some keys to Herrad that she should give to their son, with instruction on how to find the cave Sigisfredkeller, where the treasure of the Niflungs was hidden. See Death of Attila about Aldrian.

Thidrek Returns Home

After losing most his warriors and dearest friends in the confrontation between the Huns and the Niflungs, Thidrek decided it was time to return home and regain his kingdom in Bern that he had lost to his uncle, King Erminrek. It has been 32 years since he had seen his home. Lady Herad (Herrat), the niece of the late Queen Erka (Helche), also decided to go to the kingdom of Bern with her husband Thidrek.

They thought it would be best to go to Bern secretly, to see who ruled in Bern. It was possible that Duke Alibrand could be the ruler of Bern, who was possibly Hildibrand's own son. Hildibrand thought that his wife was probably pregnant when he left Bern.

It was only on the day they were leaving Susa that Thidrek informed Attila of his intention of leaving Hunland. The hero refused Attila's offer of an army to retake his kingdom.

On their journey to Amlungland, shortly after crossing the Rhine, they encountered Earl Elsung, kinsman of another Earl Elsung, whom Thidrek's grandfather (Samson) had killed. In the fighting, Thidrek killed eight knights, including Elsung, while Hildibrand killed nine and spared Amlung. The other knights either fled or surrendered to Thidrek.

From Amlung, Thidrek learned that his uncle had been sick for some time, and Erminrek's treacherous adviser Sifka had made Erminrek's condition even worse. Sifka was the one who had incited Erminrek into dispossessing Thidrek from his kingdom.

They rode until they reached another castle, which belonged to Hlodver and his son Konrad. Here, Hildibrand learned that Erminrek was dead, and Sifka had taken the crown.

When Hlodver and Konrad found out that Thidrek had returned to Amlungland, they warmly welcomed him as their lord and king. They hoped that Thidrek would reclaim Bern before Sifka decided to annex it.

Thidrek then sent his friend to Bern, so that Hildibrand would meet his son, Alibrand. Hildibrand however wanted to test his son prowess as a warrior. So they met, they fought until Hildibrand defeated his son, giving a deep wound on Alibrand's thigh.

Hildibrand was finally reunited with his son, and later his wife in Bern. When Thidrek arrived in Bern, Alibrand handed over the kingdom to the rightful king. Thidrek then gathered eight thousand men for his war against Sifka.

Sifka had thirteen thousand warriors, but another force of seven thousand men from Rome came to Sifka's aid. Thidrek discovered that he was trapped between two armies. Thidrek went to confront the Roman with half of his men, while Hildibrand confronted Sifka's forces.

In the fighting, Alibrand encountered Sifka in a fierce combat, in which Hildibrand's son was victor. On the other side of the battle, Thidrek received the surrender of the Roman army when their king died.

Thidrek then went to Rome, where all of the cities peacefully surrendered to Thidrek. Eriminrek's vassals now became Thidrek's, and Thidrek was crowned king of not only Bern, but also of Rome.

Some years later, Hildibrand, Thidrek's long time friend and mentor, died from illness. He was given a great funeral, and Alibrand received his father's weapons, including Sigurd's sword, Gram.

Shortly afterward, Lady Herad, Thidrek's wife, died from possibly the same illness that Hildibrand had contracted.

When Thidrek heard that King Hertnid had been killed by a dragon, Thidrek once again donned his armour. A host of three thousand robbers laid siege to Hertnid's castle. First, Thidrek defeated the dragon. Finding Hertnid's armour and horse, Thidrek donned the silver armour and mounted Hertnid's horse.

When Thidrek rode near Hertnid's castle, Isold, wife of Hertnid, recognised her husband's armour. Isold sent Hertnid's knights, and they and Thidrek defeated the robbers.

Isold realised that the man wearing the silver armour wasn't her husband. Thidrek revealed his identity and told Isold that her husband was actually killed by a dragon.

Isold warmly greeted Thidrek, and he enjoyed the hospitality of her castle. Thidrek fell in love with the fair, wise queen, so they were married. Thidrek appointed Artus, nephew of Isung of Bertangaland, as lord of Hertnid's castle, while the king returned home with his new wife.

End of the Age

• Death of Attila

• Death of Heimir

• The Last Days of Thidrek

Death of Attila

Aldrian, son of Hogni, was raised in Attila's court as the old king's foster son. When the boy was twelve, he lured Attila to where the treasure of Sigurd was hidden by Hogni and Gunnar. Aldrian promised to give the fabled hoard to the king, if Attila came with him alone.

Sigurd's treasure, known as the Niflung treasure, was hidden in a cave of a mountain, known as Sigisfredkeller, but it also contained the treasure of Gunnar and Hogni. There was countless gold and silver, as well as fine weapons and armour.

Aldrian opened the doors to the cave for Attila, and they descended to the deepest part of the cavern where Sigurd's treasure was kept. As Attila stared at the Niflung treasure with wonder and greed, Aldrian left the cave and locked the doors. Despite Attila's pleas and promise of power and kingdom to his foster son, Aldrian only wanted revenge against the king.

Attila died, starving to the death in his tomb, surrounded by the wealth of the Niflung treasure.

Aldrian returned to his father's home, and Brynhild, wife of King Gunnar, appointed him as the earl of Niflungaland (Burgundy). Aldrian never returned to the cave to retrieve the treasure, so the treasure remained forever hidden from men.

Death of Heimir

For twenty years, Heimir roamed the forest in Sifka's country, killing Sifka's men and destroying farmlands. Heimir only ended his hostility against Sifka when he heard that Sifka had been killed. So Heimir entered a monastery, repenting for his sins.

Heimir gave up all his possessions, including his weapon and his horse, Rispa, to the monks, but not revealing his identity to the abbot; calling himself Lodvig. But the peace was short for Heimir. A few years later, a giant named Aspilian from Lungbardi (Lombardy) took the farmlands belonging to the monks.

Heimir offered to fight the giant, if the monks returned his armour and weapon, but the abbot falsely claimed that he had used the sword to make nails. Heimir knew the abbot was lying, because the monks did not have the ability to destroy Naglhring, his sword. Heimir grabbed the lying abbot and shook him until four teeth popped out. The other frightened monks, learning that the sword was called Naglhring, quickly returned the sword to Heimir. His horse Rispa was also returned to him.

Seven weeks later, Heimir confronted Aspilian on an island. The giant rode an elephant, like a horse. The two boasted of their prowess and taunted each other. Heimir skilfully chopped off Aspilian's hand and wounded the giant in the thigh. The giant wanted to fall on the little warrior, but Heimir was quick on his feet, so he avoided being crushed to death. Heimir returned triumphantly to the monastery.

When Thidrek heard the news, he immediately sought this monk. At first, Heimir refused to recognise Thidrek. Thidrek and Heimir were reunited, and Thidrek took Heimir back with him to Bern (Verona), and appointed him as his commander of the army.

One day, Heimir went to collect tribute from all the subjects within the kingdom of Bern. Heimir returned to the monastery to collect tribute from the monks, which the abbot refused to give. Heimir angrily murdered the abbot and slaughtered the other monks. Taking the all gold, he then burned down the monastery.

Heimir then went to collect tribute from the largest and strongest giant. Though, he bravely confronted this giant, Heimir was no match for it. The giant swung his heavy staff that knocked Heimir as far as an arrow from a bow. Before he hit the ground, Heimir was already dead.

The Last Days of Thidrek

Thidrek, hearing of the death of his friend, armed himself and went to confront the giant himself. Thidrek confronted the giant on foot. Thidrek managed to dodge a swinging blow from the giant, and used Ekkisax to cut off both of the giant's hands. Then Thidrek killed the helpless giant.

After this fight, no other knight or giant dared to combat Thidrek. So the only adventures that Thidrek had in his last days were hunting.

But one day, he heard news that the largest black horse had entered his kingdom. Thidrek immediately wanted to capture this horse. The hounds that the king brought along, were frightened of the black horse.

Though he managed to mount the stallion, he couldn't control the horse as it ran off, faster than any other horses. Thidrek realised his error, when he couldn't dismount. The horse was actually a fiend. Thidrek was never seen again.

Genealogy

• Thiðrekssaga

• The Nibelungs

Related Pages

• Nibelungenlied

• Volsunga Saga