The Nibelungenlied

One evening, while the two queens sit watching the warriors at their sports, Kriemhild remarks that her husband, Siegfried, is of such merit that he could rule over all the kingdoms of the region. “How could that be?” Brunhild retorts. She argues that as long as Gunther is alive, this could never come about.

Kriemhild persists in saying that splendid Siegfried is fully Gunther’s equal. Brunhild replies that, when the knights came to Iceland, she heard them both say that Siegfried was Gunther’s vassal, so she considers him to be her liegeman. Kriemhild is offended, since her brothers would not have married her off to a liegeman. She asks Brunhild, in friendship, to stop saying such things.

Brunhild retorts, “[W]hy should I renounce my claim to so many knights who owe us service through Siegfried?” At this, Kriemhild loses her temper and tells Brunhild that Siegfried in fact ranks above Gunther, so Brunhild can expect no services or dues from him as her liegeman.

Both ladies are very angry. Kriemhild declares that, since Brunhild thinks Siegfried to be her liegeman, the King’s vassals must witness whether Kriemhild dares enter the church before Brunhild, giving visible proof that she is a free noblewoman. She claims to be “of higher station than was ever heard of concerning any Queen that wore a crown.” Fierce hate grows between the two.

Kriemhild instructs her maidens to dress well so that they won’t be put to shame in front of Brunhild. Soon, she and a train of 43 ladies-in-waiting make their way to the cathedral, dressed in cloth-of-gold from Arabia. Everyone wonders why the two queens arrive at church separately, contrary to their custom. They also marvel at the splendor of the ladies’ appearance, since “thirty queens could not have found the wherewithal” to dress so richly.

At the church entrance, Brunhild harshly orders Kriemhild to stop, since a liegewoman may not enter before a queen. Kriemhild retorts that Brunhild should have held her tongue, since she has brought dishonor on her own head. “How,” she asks, “could a vassal’s paramour ever wed a King?”

Brunhild asks whom Kriemhild is calling a paramour. Kriemhild claims that it wasn’t Gunther who took Brunhild’s maidenhead, but Siegfried. If Siegfried was indeed Brunhild’s vassal, Kriemhild jeers, then why did she let him make love to her?

Brunhild swears to tell Gunther of Kriemhild’s charge and begins to weep. Kriemhild proceeds into the church before her. “Thus,” the poet says, “great hatred arose and bright eyes grew very moist and dim from it.” During the church service, Brunhild broods on Kriemhild’s accusation. If indeed Siegfried has boasted of having slept with her, she decides, it will cost him his life.

Outside the church, Brunhild demands proof of Kriemhild’s charge. Kriemhild proves it by displaying the gold ring on her finger, which, she claims, was brought to her by Siegfried after he first slept with Brunhild. She also wears a silk, jewel-encrusted belt which Brunhild had worn that same night. Brunhild is agitated at the sight of the stolen ring and girdle, and, weeping, she summons Gunther.

Gunther asks Brunhild what is the matter. Brunhild explains that Kriemhild has tried to rob her of her honor. She formally accuses Kriemhild of saying that Siegfried made her his concubine. Gunther is cautious and noncommittal in his response. He summons Siegfried.

Gunther tells Siegfried of Kriemhild’s accusation. Siegfried denies it, and Gunther lets him offer an oath in the presence of the knights. Gunther acquits him of Kriemhild’s allegation on the basis of his trust in Siegfried. Siegfried says that women “should be trained to avoid irresponsible chatter,” and that he is ashamed of his wife’s behavior.

The women depart the scene in silence. Later, Hagen comes upon Brunhild, sees that she is crying, and asks her what is the matter. As soon as he hears the story, he vows that Siegfried must pay. Ortwin, Gernot, and Hagen begin plotting Siegfried’s death. When Giselher comes upon this discussion, he defends Siegfried and asks why they are going to such drastic lengths over a women’s quarrel. Hagen insists that Brunhild’s honor is at stake.

Gunther also argues in favor of Siegfried’s loyalty. But the rest of the knights, “though he had done them no wrong,” declare themselves Siegfried’s enemies. Hagen points out to Gunther that, if Siegfried were taken out of the picture, then Gunther would be the lord of many kingdoms. Gunther is despondent.

As they watch the sports, many of the vassals continue to nurse resentment. Gunther reminds them of Siegfried’s commitment to the honor of Burgundy, and anyway, Siegfried is so strong and brave that it would be foolish to oppose him. Hagen replies that he will always be Siegfried’s enemy, and that he will carry out a plot against him in secret by having a fake “war” declared on Burgundy. Hagen will learn from Kriemhild where Siegfried is vulnerable, and, in the course of the fictitious campaign, Siegfried will lose his life.

Gunther follows Hagen’s instructions, “to evil effect,” and the betrayal is underway. “Thanks to the wrangling of two women,” the poet concludes, “countless warriors met their doom.”