The Podcast of the Lotus Eaters - PREVIEW： Chronicles #17 ｜ The Nibelungenlied Part 2

00:00:00.000 Hello, and welcome back to Chronicles, where today we're going to be discussing part two

00:00:20.960 of the Nibelungenlied. In part one, as many of you will remember if you're not jumping into

00:00:27.560 part two without watching part one, in which case, go back, do as you're told. We're going to be

00:00:33.400 basically discussing the fallout from everything that happened there. Of course, we had the great

00:00:38.420 quest, the great warrior, the great king, Siegfried of the Netherlands, Lord of the Nibelungs. He was

00:00:45.200 murdered by Hagen, the uncle and chief advisor of Gunther, the king of Burgundy. And in all of this,

00:00:54.600 this left his wife, Siegfried's wife, Krimhild, in a place of total sorrow, grief, and looking for

00:01:03.360 means to gain revenge for what she's been forced to suffer. And so let's just head straight into

00:01:10.420 what goes on in the second part, shall we?

00:01:12.980 Though the years pass, Krimhild's grief remains. Her days were filled only with ruminations of

00:01:25.980 sorrow and vengeance. Far beyond the borders of Burgundy, in the kingdom of Hungary, King Etzel,

00:01:32.920 a pagan lord of great renown, seeks a new wife. He discusses his options with his trusted vassal,

00:01:40.820 Rudiger of Pochran. Krimhild's beauty remains well known, and she is still able to bear children.

00:01:48.320 What's more, the Burgundians are revered for their strength and honour, and would make fine

00:01:53.260 allies. And Etzel respected her late husband, the gallant Siegfried. So Rudiger is sent as an

00:02:01.040 emissary to the court of King Gunther. Journeying through Vienna, news of their coming arrived in

00:02:06.960 Burgundy, sooner than their company. Upon their arrival, Gunther summons Hagen, and marks out

00:02:13.420 Rudiger for his king. The brave Huns are received with all honour. Rudiger is introduced to King

00:02:19.480 Gunther and his many knights, Gurno, Gisela, Danquart, and Volker. He then delivers his lord's

00:02:25.600 message. He recounts the untimely passing of Etzel's previous wife, and the desolation that her absence

00:02:31.840 has placed in his heart, and in those of his subjects. I will tell you more of my dear lord's

00:02:36.900 message, seeing in what a wretched plight the death of Helch has left him. My sovereign was informed

00:02:43.120 that Lord Siegfried had died, leaving Krimhild a widow. If that is how matters stand, and if she may

00:02:50.260 do it with your blessing, she shall go crowned before Etzel's warriors. This my lord bade me tell you.

00:02:57.640 King Gunther requests three days to consider the offer, and to seek Krimhild's own decision on the

00:03:04.120 matter. Amongst Gunther's advisers, all but Hagen are in favour of it. Gunther deeply wishes Krimhild to

00:03:12.400 accept the marriage proposal, in part from guilt at the hand he played in Siegfried's murder, but also

00:03:18.600 because it pains him to see his sister suffer so undeservedly. But Hagen is unmoved, and already weary

00:03:26.580 of Etzel, having been his prisoner once before. Gisela presses him to approve the match, so that

00:03:32.100 he may atone for the evil he did to her. But Hagen is firm. I shall tell you what I plainly foresee.

00:03:39.380 If Etzel marries her, and she lives long enough, she will do us great harm yet, however she contrives 0.97

00:03:46.020 it. When all is said, she will have many fine men at her command. Where Gunther sees joy, Hagen sees

00:03:53.460 retribution, and he is greatly vexed by Gunther's consent to the marriage. The news is brought to

00:03:59.460 Krimhild that she may move on, and have another chance at happiness. That her days need no longer

00:04:06.500 be defined by sorrow. But Krimhild refuses the offer outright. But Rudger is brought to her as Etzel's

00:04:14.100 envoy, and speaks of his sovereign's many qualities, and asks her what else but tender affection can

00:04:21.940 help one over one's sorrow. Your life with Etzel will be so splendid, if matters go so far, that it

00:04:30.420 will give you endless delights. She asks that he return tomorrow, and then he shall have his answer.

00:04:38.420 Krimhild is deeply conflicted. Not only is she still loyal to Siegfried's memory, but she's conscious

00:04:46.180 that her beauty is diminishing, and the thought of marrying a pagan is a grave affront to her faith

00:04:52.340 in God. None can convince her. Rudger returns the next day, and speaks with the lady privately,

00:04:59.460 and he tells her that he would make amends to her for any wrong that should befall her,

00:05:04.180 at which her great sorrow begins to abate. She tells Rudger to swear an oath that he will avenge her

00:05:12.740 against any who would sought to harm her, to which he solemnly swears. And he and his vassals swear to

00:05:19.940 serve her loyally, and to never deny her anything, providing it was to her honour. And he gave her his

00:05:26.820 hand on it. So it is that Krimhild makes ready to depart for her new life in Hungary. But Hagen is

00:05:34.420 aware that she leaves with great enmity towards him. During their journey, Rudger introduces Krimhild to

00:05:41.620 his wife, Gotland, who greets a new queen with great kindness. Neither had any foreboding of what was to

00:05:48.660 happen. After staying in many towns along their route, they arrive at Torn on the Danube River.

00:05:55.700 There, she receives King Etzel kindly with a kiss. There are seventeen days of celebrations, and now

00:06:03.140 the whole time that Krimhild stood beside Etzel, the young blades were engaged on what they still do

00:06:09.060 today. Christian and pagan warriors rode many fine jousts, each in his own style. After many years as

00:06:17.380 consort to the king, Krimhild receives many marks of loyal submission, and makes royal gifts of gold

00:06:24.980 and silver, all that she had brought over the Rhine with her to Hungary. With the passage of time,

00:06:31.620 all the king's relations too, and all his vassals become her devoted servants. Queen Helch never wielded 0.81

00:06:39.060 such power over them as Krimhild enjoys till the day of her death. The royal couple have a son,

00:06:45.220 named Ortlieb, and Krimhild insists on his baptism, so that he may one day rule as a gracious Christian

00:06:52.340 sovereign. Alas, despite all the reasons for rekindled joy, Krimhild still broods on the many

00:06:59.460 wrongs that have been done to her at home, and all the honours that had been hers in Nibelungenland.

00:07:06.020 Night and day she is oppressed by the memories of how, through no fault of her own, she has been brought to

00:07:11.780 the point of having to wed a heathen, and that it was Hagen and Gunther who had brought it to pass.

00:07:18.180 With the certain affection of her king's vassals, and the unshakable torment of her heart,

00:07:23.940 Krimhild decides that it is time for her to seek revenge on her family. Speaking to Etzel,

00:07:30.580 she implores him to invite her kin from Burgundy to his court. The emissaries are then brought before her,

00:07:36.420 and she insists that, other than her elderly mother, all of her family should make the journey to see

00:07:42.100 her, particularly Hagen. When they arrive in Burgundy with this invitation, King Gunther and his vassals

00:07:49.460 deliberate upon this offer. All speak in favour, except Hagen.

00:07:54.660 You are bent on your own destruction, he said to the king in private. You know what we have done.

00:08:00.340 We must always go in fear of Krimhild, for I killed her husband with my own hand. 1.00

00:08:06.420 How then should we ever dare to ride into Etzel's country?

00:08:10.100 Gunther is persuaded that his sister has put her anger behind her,

00:08:14.580 and that their visit can only serve to strengthen their reconciliation.

00:08:19.300 It is a fatal error. Hagen's wisdom is overruled, and he sets out with his king,

00:08:25.300 and many of the valiant warriors that we have met throughout the tale, Dankuert, Gisela and Volker,

00:08:31.460 amongst others. Though he counselled against the journey, Hagen still tries his best to ensure the

00:08:37.060 safety of his king, bringing with the company a thousand splendid knights. Gunther has one last

00:08:43.700 knight with Queen Brunnhilde, and at dawn the Nibelungs begin to travel towards Hungary, towards Doom. 0.92

00:08:51.460 Coming to the mighty Danube, Hagen encounters three Nixies. Startled, they attempt to flee, but Hagen takes 1.00

00:08:59.060 their clothes from them, until the Nixies barter them back, in exchange for information. Hagen returns 0.96

00:09:04.900 their clothes, and he is told by one of the water sprides. You can ride with confidence to Etzel's

00:09:10.420 country. I pledged you my word of honour, that no warriors ever travelled to any kingdom to win such

00:09:16.660 glory. Rest assured of it. But then, a second speaks. Let me warn you, Hagen, son of Aldrian. My

00:09:24.980 cousin lied to you for the sake of her clothes. If you ever get to Hungary, you will be sadly

00:09:30.260 disappointed. Turn back. There is still time. For, bold knights, you have been invited to Etzel's

00:09:37.700 country, in order that you shall die there. All who ride to that land have linked their hands with death. 0.71

00:09:44.660 The Nixie ominously laments that the only survivor will be the king's chaplain. Hagen then goes to find 0.99

00:09:50.580 a ferryman, so that the Burgundian company can cross a river. But after following the Nixies' advice and 1.00

00:09:57.220 gaining access to a ferry by killing its man and sailing across, Hagen throws the chaplain overboard

00:10:04.180 in an attempt to drown him. But, despite Hagen's best efforts, the chaplain swims back to the bank,

00:10:11.460 very much alive. He then realises the dark truth of the Nixies' warnings. He cannot change the decree of 1.00

00:10:18.740 fate, and resolves to press on with the hope that all his company may meet an heroic end.

00:10:24.580 Still on the road, King Gunther's host arrives at Poshlan, where they meet the noble Margrave,

00:10:31.220 Rudiger. Ever the consummate example of chivalry, Rudiger treats them with great hospitality. Even so

00:10:37.620 far as to agreeing to have his daughter marry King Isla, gifts, meals and revelry define their numbered

00:10:45.380 days in Poshlan. But they must now ride once more to meet with Kriemhild.

00:10:50.980 When the Burgundians arrived in Hungary, old Hildebrand came to hear of it, and he told his

00:10:56.260 master, Lord Dietrich, who was very sorry to learn it, but he asked him to give the gallant knights a

00:11:02.580 warm welcome. King Dietrich is in exile at Etzel's court, and all too aware of the fraught tensions that

00:11:09.460 these new arrivals will bring. He says unto them, Welcome, you lords, Gunther and Giesle,

00:11:15.460 Gurnow and Hagen. Are you not aware that Kriemhild still weeps bitterly for the hero of Nibelungenland?

00:11:22.180 Upon finally meeting Kriemhild after these many long years, the reunion is tense.

00:11:28.180 Welcome to whomever you are, welcome, she said. But I shall not greet you for any love between you and me.

00:11:36.020 Tell me what you bring me from Worms beyond the Rhine, that you should be so very welcome to me.

00:11:42.180 Tell me further, what have you done with the treasure of the Nibelungs? It was mine, as you

00:11:47.780 well know. That is what you should bring me here to Etzel's country. Hagen is forthright,

00:11:53.540 telling her that all he brings are his weapons and protections. When Kriemhild tries to have him

00:11:58.740 relieved of his weapons, so that he may enter the Great Hall, Hagen resists.

00:12:04.100 Dietrich manages to delay the Queen's fury, but she is unyielding.

00:12:09.060 She manipulates some sixty men with her grief, and demands they kill Hagen for her.

00:12:15.140 But, seeing that her nemesis is in the company of strong Volkner, she reinforces her numbers with 0.66

00:12:21.860 several hundred more. Then, wearing her crown, she publicly upbraids Hagen in front of her loyal knights. 1.00

00:12:29.380 Why did you do the deed for which you have earned my hatred? You slew Siegfried, my dear husband,

00:12:37.380 for which I shall have cause to weep till the end of my days.

00:12:41.620 Hagen responds by attesting to his guilt, for all to witness.

00:12:45.540 I am that same Hagen who slew Siegfried the doughty warrior. How dearly he had to pay for Lady Kriemhild's 0.91

00:12:52.580 maligning for fair Brunhild. There is no denying it, mighty Queen. I bear the entire guilt of your

00:12:59.860 ruinous loss. But none of Kriemhild's knights will avenge her. They well know the prowess and renown of

00:13:06.180 Hagen and Volkner the minstrel. The Nibelungs survive this encounter, but ever do they hold 1.00

00:13:11.940 their weapons close at hand. The foreigners then meet the Hungarian king, and are welcomed with all

00:13:17.860 the hospitality that their nobility and gratitude should warrant. The day drew to an end, the night

00:13:24.420 came on, and the travel-weary knights wondered anxiously when they could go to bed and rest themselves.

00:13:30.660 King Etzel grants some permission to leave, and Gunther and his host retire. Hagen and Volkner decide to

00:13:38.420 keep watch for the night. It proves to be a well-reasoned precaution, as many of Kriemhild's knights had been

00:13:44.900 intent on cravenly butchering their guests in the sleep. The Nibelungs live to see another dawn. The 0.99

00:13:51.540 morning comes, and the Nibelungs adorn themselves with their helms, and King Etzel, ignorant of the 0.94

00:13:57.460 conspiracy and hate simmering in his halls, allows the Nibelungs to wear their garments of war, 0.99

00:14:04.020 after his guests brush it off as simply their tradition. Later that morning there is a joust,

00:14:09.940 and Volkner accidentally kills his hunnish opponent. Swords are drawn, tempers are sharp, and it seems

00:14:16.500 that certain that a bloody melee will erupt. When King Etzel intervenes, ordering his men to stand

00:14:23.540 down. He truthfully insists on the killing being an accident, and all the swords are sheathed as they

00:14:29.380 all return to the palace. Despite her desperate efforts, Kriemhild is unable to instigate the

00:14:36.420 slaughter of her foes. She turns to Dietrich and pleads with him to be her sword of vengeance,

00:14:42.100 but the gallant king will not lower himself to such base butchery. But, turning to Lord Brodelen,

00:14:48.740 she finds a warrior more receptive to her bloodlust, after she offers him gold, silver,

00:14:54.980 and a bride of fair countenance. Hearing what the reward was to be, Brodelen fancied he would win the

00:15:01.060 charming woman by force of arms, but in fact, as a result, he had to lose his life. Kriemhild's old

00:15:08.260 grief was embedded deep in her heart. Since there was no beginning the battle in any other way,

00:15:13.860 she had Etzel's son carried to the board. How could a woman ever do a more dreadful thing in 1.00

00:15:20.260 pursuance of her revenge? Young Ortlieb is brought to the hall, and whilst the two races drink, 0.86

00:15:26.660 Bodelen and his forces attack brave Danquart in the squire's quarters. He repays Bodelen by cleaving

00:15:33.780 his head from his body. Then, fighting his way to the main hall, the spectators are shocked by the

00:15:39.780 sight of Danquart, wounded and bloody. He tells Hagen and the men of the hall of what has just happened,

00:15:47.300 and Hagen declares that Kriemhild's grievances have caused what is to come. He drinks to

00:15:53.220 the memory of the dead, and then, unsheathing his sword in wrath, decapitates the infant Ortlieb,

00:16:00.100 as his head flies into Kriemhild's lap. The hall becomes a venue for frenzied slaughter. As battle

00:16:07.620 rages, Volker leaps to the aid of Danquart, and Hagen slowly closes on Kriemhild. She screams for

00:16:14.980 Dietrich to save her, the Lord of Verona bellows, and the slaughter pauses as he and King Gunther

00:16:21.300 engage in diplomacy. It ends with Dietrich, Rüdiger, and their third parties leaving the

00:16:27.780 hall in peace, as the Nibelungs cleanse the palace of their enemies. Kriemhild and Etzel,

00:16:33.460 who had both been escorted safely outside, can do nothing but listen to the muting screams.

00:16:40.580 All of Kriemhild's enemies remain standing, and Giesler advises them to have the corpses thrown from

00:16:46.900 the hall. They followed this advice, and carried seven thousand bodies to the door, and threw them

00:16:52.980 out. These fell at the foot of the stair before the hall, and their relations raised a most pitiful

00:16:59.620 glamour at the sight of it. For some of these thrown out were not so seriously wounded that careful nursing

00:17:06.340 could not have healed them. But they were nevertheless killed by the fall, and it was this that their

00:17:12.340 kinsmen were lamenting, as well they might. Kriemhild sends up a champion to slay Hagen,

00:17:18.500 but he is merely greeted with his own demise. Legions are then sent forth by the Queen. What

00:17:25.220 never-ending numbers of brave knights perished at their feet? It was in mid-summer when this great

00:17:31.540 slaughter took place, and Lady Kriemhild avenged her mortal wrongs on her nearest kinsmen, and on many

00:17:38.180 others, so that King Etzel never knew happiness again. Soon Kriemhild gives word for the hall to be

00:17:45.620 burned down. The ash and smoke swirls about the beleaguered Nibelungs. So dry were their throats, 1.00

00:17:52.980 and so exhausted were their bodies, that the Nibelungs are reduced to drinking the blood 0.99

00:17:58.340 of their fallen foes, so that they might endure. Then, in the greatest moment of tragedy,

00:18:05.700 Rudiger is ordered to fight. A man of unimpeachable morals resigned to Kriemhild's pyre of vengeance.

00:18:13.940 Caught between contradictory oaths, Rudiger parlays with the Nibelungs to no avail. On that day, 0.55

00:18:21.300 Rudiger gave every proof in action that he was a bold and illustrious hero.

00:18:27.060 Both Gerneau and Rudiger perish, brought down by one another. The loss of Rudiger draws old Hildebrand

00:18:34.420 and Dietrich's men into the fray. The Nibelungs begin to fall. First Volker, then Dankwart, then Gisela.

00:18:43.140 Only Gunther and Hagen remain. Finally, Dietrich goes forth into the breach and captures the two survivors.

00:18:50.820 At long last, after her great suffering, Etzel's queen is happy. Dietrich beseeches Kriemhild

00:18:58.980 to let her enemies live. Hagen is taken to a cell, and Gunther to another. Kriemhild visits

00:19:06.180 Hagen and orders him to divulge the location of her treasure. Your words are wasted, most noble queen.

00:19:13.220 I have sworn as long as any lord of mine remains alive, never to reveal the treasure or yield it to anyone.

00:19:21.540 I shall make an end, cried the noble lady, and she commanded them to take her brother's life. 0.94

00:19:28.820 They struck off his head, and she carried it to Hagen by the hair. Great was the grief it gave him.

00:19:35.460 But Hagen had deceived her. There was no oath. He had known that Gunther would have revealed the

00:19:43.060 location of the treasure. But now it is known only by Hagen and God. Incensed, Kriemhild takes Hagen's sword.

00:19:52.740 It is Balmung, the sword of Siegfried, and with it she avenges her long-deceased lord and smites off 0.52

00:20:00.820 Hagen's head. Etzel, Dietrich and Hildebrand are devastated at seeing such a mighty man of honour

00:20:08.340 murdered by a woman's hand. Hildebrand, leaping forward at Kriemhild in fury, strikes the queen with

00:20:15.700 a heavy swing of his sword. She winced in dread of Hildebrand, but what could her loud shrieks avail

00:20:22.500 her? There lay the bodies of all that were doomed to die. The noble lady was hewn to pieces. Dietrich

00:20:30.420 and Etzel began to weep, and deeply they lamented both kinsmen and vassals. The story ends here.

00:20:39.460 Such was the Nibelung's last stand.

00:20:43.620 If you enjoyed this piece of premium content from the Lotus Eaters,

00:20:46.980 head to our website where you can find more.

The Podcast of the Lotus Eaters - October 11, 2025

PREVIEW： Chronicles #17 ｜ The Nibelungenlied Part 2

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