“The Song of the Nibelungs” in brief

Nibelung was one of the two kings killed by Siegfried. Then this name passed to the most Dutch knight and his fairytale subjects – the keepers of the treasure. Starting with the twenty-fifth of the avenues, the Nibelungs are called Burgundians.

In the wonderful legends of the past, it is said that a girl named Krimhilda lived in the land of Burgundians, so beautiful and sweet that all the knights of the earth dreamed of it. The cause of many disasters was this extraordinary beauty.

Krimhilda grew up in the capital city of Worms under the protection of three brothers-kings, brave and noble knights. Gunter, Gernot and the young Giselherd ruled Burgundy, relying on the brave warrior and faithful vassals – the most powerful of them was Hagen, the ruler of Tronier. For hours we could talk about this brilliant court, about the exploits of the burgundy bogatyrs, about their tournaments, feasts and amusements.

Once Krimhilde had a dream, as if a falcon flew up

to her in the upper room and two eagles pecked before her eyes. Mother Uta told her daughter that the falcon is her future husband, who is destined to die from the hands of murderers. Then the girl decided not to marry, so as not to mourn the beloved later. Many wooed to the pretty princess, but they refused. She enjoyed peace, until the glorious knight led her to the crown. For the death of his Krimhilda terribly avenged his kin.

King Zigmund of the Netherlands had a son Siegfried – the beauty and pride of his native country. The young warrior was so bold and handsome that all the ladies sighed about him. Hearing about the marvelous Burgundian virgin, Siegfried set out to get her hand. Alarmed parents begged his son not to contact the arrogant and bellicose Burgundians. But Siegfried insisted on his own and set off on a long journey, taking only twelve people with him. The yard saw off the prince in despondency and melancholy – many people said that this idea would not lead to good.

When foreign knights appeared in Worms, Hagen immediately recognized Siegfried and advised Gunther with honor to

receive the illustrious hero who, in an honest duel, won the huge treasure of the Nibelungen, the Balmung sword and invisibility cloak. In addition, this knight is invulnerable: after killing a terrible dragon and washing himself in blood, he has become riddled so that no weapon took him. Siegfried on the move offered Gunther a duel in a mortgage on the property. All the Burgundians enraged this arrogant challenge, but Hagen, to everyone’s surprise, did not say anything. The king pacified the ardent knight with affectionate words, and Siegfried, for fear of losing Krimhilda, accepted the invitation to stay in Worms. A year passed in tournaments and competitions: Siegfried always prevailed, but he never managed to see Krimhilda, although the girl secretly watched him from the window. Suddenly the Saxons and the Danes declared war on Gunther. The Burgundians were taken by surprise, and the king, following Hagen’s advice, told Siegfried about everything. The hero promised to repel the threat with his Dutch and to help himself asked only a squad of fighters from Tronier. Pugnacious Saxons and Danes were given a crushing rebuff – Siegfried personally captivated their leaders, who swore never to attack the Burgundians again. As a reward, Gunther allowed Siegfried to meet at a feast with his sister.

Hunter dreamed of marrying the Queen of Iceland Brünhild – a powerful warrior girl. Siegfried agreed to help a friend, but in return he demanded the hand of Krimhild. It was decided that four of them – both the King and Hagen with his younger brother Dankwart – would be on a dangerous trip. Brünhild immediately singled out Siegfried and welcomed him first, but the Dutch hero said that he was only a vassal of the Burgundian king. Gunther had to overcome Brynhild in three competitions: more to throw a spear and then to throw a stone, and then to jump it in full arms. The losing knight, as well as all his companions, awaited imminent death. Taking advantage of the invisibility cloak, Siegfried defeated Brünhild, and the proud maiden had to reconcile herself: she gave consent to the marriage, and informed her Icelanders that they were now subject to Gunther.

When the heroes returned triumphantly to Worms, Siegfried reminded Gunther of their agreement. Two weddings were played on the same day. Brynhilda felt that the king humiliated his sister, who became the wife of a simple vassal. Hunter’s explanations did not satisfy her, and she threatened that she would not let him on the bed until she knew the truth. The king tried to take his wife by force, but the rich man tied him up and hung him in the bedroom. Hunter turned again to Siegfried. He appeared under the cover of an invisibility cloak and pacified Brünhild, taking off her belt and ring. Later he gave these things to Krimhilde – a fateful carelessness, for which he had to pay dearly. And Gunter mastered the heroic virgin, and from that moment she became equal in strength to all women. Both married couples were happy in marriage. Siegfried returned with his young wife to the Netherlands, where he was greeted with vassals and relatives. The aged Sigmund joyfully yielded to the throne of his son. Ten years later, Krimhilda gave birth to an heir, who was named Gunter in honor of his uncle. Brynhild also had a son, and he was given the name Siegfried.

Brynhilda often wondered: why is the sister-in-law so gaudy, after all, to her husband she got even a noble, but a vassal? The queen began to ask Gunter to invite Siegfried and his wife to visit. He relented with great reluctance and sent messengers to the Netherlands. On the contrary, Siegfried was glad to see his relatives in Vorms, and even old Sigmund agreed to accompany him. In festivities and amusements ten days flew by quickly, and the eleventh queen started a dispute about whose husband was more valiant. At first Krimhilda said that Siegfried could easily master the kingdom of Gunther. Brynhilde objected to this, that Siegfried was her husband’s servant. Krimhild was furious; the brothers would never have given her away as a vassal, and to prove the absurdity of these statements, she would first enter the cathedral. At the gate of the cathedral Brynhilda arrogantly ordered to give her way – the wife of the lennik should not contradict her mistress. Krimhilda abandoned her concubine as a concubine. Brynhilde was looking forward to the end of the service, wishing to refute the terrible accusation. Then Krimhilda presented a belt and a ring, carelessly given to her by Siegfried. Brynhilde burst into tears, and Gunther called Siegfried to account. He swore that he did not tell his wife anything. The honor of the Burgundian king was threatened, and Hagen began to incline him to revenge. that he did not tell his wife anything. The honor of the Burgundian king was threatened, and Hagen began to incline him to revenge. that he did not tell his wife anything. The honor of the Burgundian king was threatened, and Hagen began to incline him to revenge.

After long hesitation, Gunther agreed. The trick was invented to find out the secret of the invulnerable Siegfried: the false messengers came to Worms with the news that the Saxons and the Danes were again fighting the Burgundians. Enraged Siegfried was eager to fight the traitors, and Krimhilda was exhausted from fear for her husband – it was at this point that the cunning Hagen came to her. Hoping to protect her husband, she opened her family: when Siegfried bathed in the dragon’s blood, a lime leaf fell on his back – and in this place the hero became vulnerable. Hagen asked to sew a tiny cross on Siegfried’s caftan – ostensibly in order to better protect the Dutch in battle. After that, it was announced that the Danes with the Saxons had shamefully retreated, and Gunter suggested to the brother-in-law to entertain himself with hunting. When the excited and unarmed Siegfried leaned over the spring to fill, Hagen inflicted a treacherous blow to him. The dead knight was placed at the threshold of Krimhilda; In the morning the servants came upon him, and the unfortunate woman immediately realized what grief had fallen upon her. Nibelungs and Sigmund were ready to immediately pay off with an unknown enemy, and the Burgundians insisted that Siegfried was killed in the forest by unknown robbers. Only Krimhilda had no doubt that Hagen had done revenge at the instigation of Brynhilda and with the knowledge of Gunther. The inconsolable widow wanted to go to the Netherlands, but her relatives managed to dissuade her: she would be there all stranger and hateful because of her kinship with the Burgundians. To the indignation of Zygmund, Krimhild remained in Worms, and then Hagen realized his long-standing plan: he took from the widow the Nibelungs treasure – the wedding gift of her husband. With the consent of the kings, the ruler of Tronier drowned innumerable treasures in the Rhine, and all four swore not to reveal where the treasure lies, while at least one of them is alive,

Thirteen years have passed. Krimhilda lived in sorrow and loneliness, mourning her husband. The mighty ruler of the Huns Etzel, having lost his wife Helhi, began to think about a new marriage. Approached told him that on the Rhine there is a beautiful Krimhilda, widow of incomparable Siegfried. In Worms went to the Margrave Bechlaren Rüdger – the loyal vassal of Etzel. The brothers-kings greeted the matchmaking favorably, but Hagen angrily objected to this marriage. But Gunther wanted to reconcile with his sister and somehow make amends for her. It remained to convince Krimhilda, and Ryudeger vowed to protect her from all enemies. The widow, who was only thinking about revenge, agreed. Farewell to relatives was cold – Krimhilda regretted only about the mother and young Giselher.

The young woman had a long way to go. Everywhere it was received with the greatest honor, for Etzel was superior to the power of all the kings of the earth. Soon Krimhilda won the hearts of the Huns with generosity and beauty. To the great happiness of her husband and subjects, she gave birth to a son – Ortlib was to inherit twelve crowns. Without doubting the attachment of the Huns, Krimhild, thirteen years after the wedding, came to her husband with a request – to invite brothers to visit, so that people would not call her stupid. Egtsel, rejoicing at the opportunity to please his beloved wife, immediately sent messengers to the Rhine. Secretly meeting with them before leaving, Krimhilda taught them how to get their bitter enemy to come with the brothers. Despite Hagen’s fierce objections, the Burgundian kings agreed to go to the son-in-law – the owner of Tronier yielded,

Nibelungs marched out – there were nine hundred knights and nine thousand servants. Prophetic mermaid maidens warned Hagen that all of them, except for the chaplain, would perish in a foreign land. The owner of Tronier, having killed the hot-tempered carrier, personally forwarded the army through the Danube. Wanting to check the prediction, Hagen pushed the chaplain overboard and tried to drown the sixth, but the old priest managed to get to the opposite shore. Then Hagen broke the ship into chips and ordered his comrades to prepare for the imminent death. Here the Nabeulungers were attacked by the Bavarians, enraged by the murder of the carrier, but their attack was repulsed. But in Bechlaren, the Burgundians were welcomed, for Rüdeger had no idea of ​​Krimhild’s plans. Young Giselher was engaged to the Margrave’s daughter, Gernot received a sword from him, and Hagen a shield.

The Huns eagerly awaited the dear guests. I especially wanted to see everyone who was killed by Siegfried. Krimhilda also trembled with impatience – seeing Hagen, she realized that the hour of vengeance had struck. The Queen, going out to meet her family, kissed only one Giselcher. Hagen did not fail to note this sarcastically, which led Krymhild to an even greater fury. And the Nibelungen warned of the impending danger of Dietrich Bernsky – a mighty knight who lost his kingdom and found refuge with Etzel. At the Hunnish court a lot of exiles gathered: they were all betrayed by Etzel and paid dearly for their fidelity.

Of all the comrades-in-arms, Hagen especially singled out the bold Volker, who was nicknamed the spielman for his excellent violin playing. Going into the courtyard, the two friends sat on the bench, and Krimhilda noticed them from the window. She decided to take advantage of the opportunity and collected a lot of Huns to get even at last with her abuser. The arrogant Hagen did not want to stand in front of the queen and flaunted the Badmung sword, taken from the dead Siegfried. Krimhilda cried with anger and humiliation, but the Huns did not dare attack the brave warriors. And Hagen ordered the Burgundians not to remove weapons even in the church. Amazed Etzel asked who dared to offend the guests. Hagen replied that no one insulted them, just in Burgundy they had three days of feasting in full armor. Krimhilda remembered the customs of her native country, but she was silent for fear of provoking her husband. Then she persuaded Bledel, brother Etzel, deal with the Burgundian servants, who feasted separately under the supervision of Dunquart. Anxious, the woman ordered to bring Ortlib’s baby to the celebration.

Bledel attacked almost unarmed servants. Burgundian brave men fought with unprecedented courage, but only Dankwarth managed to escape from this carnage alive. Hacking his way with a sword, he broke into the main hall with the news of unheard treason. In response, Hagen took Ortlib’s head off his shoulders, and immediately a fierce battle broke out. The Burgundians allowed only their friends to come out – Dietrich with his Amelungs and Rüdeger with the Behararen squad. The ruler of Bern saved from imminent death and Etzel with Krimhilda. Nibelungs, having interrupted seven thousand Huns, threw the corpses onto the stairs. Then the Danes with the Saxons rushed to the bloody massacre – the Nibelungs also killed them. The day was approaching towards evening, and the Burgundians were asked to transfer the battle to the courtyard. But vindictive Krimhilda demanded Hagen’s head – and even Giselher did not manage to soften it. Etzel ordered to set fire to the hall,

The next morning Etzel again sent into the remnants of his squad. Rüdeger tried to appeal to Dietrich, but he said that the Burgundians could not be saved any more – the king would never forgive them for the death of his son. Krimhilda demanded that Rüdeger fulfill his vow. In vain the unfortunate Margrave begged not to ruin his soul: Etzel retorted about his vassal duty. The most terrible battle began – friends entered the battle. Rüdeger gave Hagen his shield: the moved ruler Tronier vowed not to raise his sword, but the margrave fell by the hand of Hernot, who was mortally wounded by him. The Bethlarans perished to the last.

Amelungs, learning about this, bitterly wept and asked the Burgundians to give out the body of the margrave. Old squire Dietrich Hildebrand tried to contain the hot youth, but a quarrel flared up, and after it a battle. In this last battle all the Amelungs fell, and only two survived by the Burgundians – Hunter and Hagen. Shocked Dietrich, suddenly lost his squad, suggested that they surrender, promising to save their lives, but this led Hagen to insane anger. The Burgundians were already exhausted by the struggle. In a desperate duel, the ruler Berne captivated both and handed Krimhilde, begging them to spare them. Krimhilda came to the prison to Hagen with a demand to return the treasure. The owner of Tronier replied that he swore not to reveal the secret while at least one of the kings was alive. Krimhilda ordered to kill Gunther and brought Hagen a severed head. For the owner of Tronier, a moment of triumph came: he declared to the “witch” that now the treasure will never be given to her. Krimhilda personally chopped off his head, and Etzel could not restrain sobbing – the bravest of the heroes was killed by a woman’s hand. Old Hildebrand, in indignation, battled the “devil” with a sword. So the Nibelungs died, the untimely death awaits the best and the best.