Gernot- Germanic HeroHero"King of Burgundy"

The Moderate Prince

Gernot is the second of three royal brothers who rule the Burgundian kingdom at Worms, older than Giselher, younger than Gunther. In the Nibelungenlied he appears as the measured voice among the brothers, a counterweight to Hagen's ruthless counsel. When Siegfried first arrives at Worms and challenges the Burgundians, Gernot argues they should welcome him as a guest rather than meet him with force.

His counsel proves useless. After Brünhild's public humiliation by Kriemhild in the quarrel of the queens, Hagen plots Siegfried's murder. Gernot opposes the plan, arguing that killing their sister's husband will bring nothing but grief. But Hagen's influence over Gunther prevails. Siegfried is murdered during a hunt, and the Burgundians' doom is set in motion.

Rüdiger's Sword

When Kriemhild, now married to the Hunnish king Etzel, invites her brothers to visit, the Burgundians ride east despite Hagen's warnings. Along the way they are hosted by Margrave Rüdiger of Bechlaren, who receives them with magnificent hospitality. In a gesture of friendship, Rüdiger presents Gernot with his own sword. Gernot accepts gratefully, not knowing the gift will become the instrument of its giver's death.

Mutual Destruction

At Etzel's court, Kriemhild's vengeance unfolds and fighting erupts between the Burgundians and the Huns. Rüdiger, bound by his oath of fealty to Kriemhild, is compelled to take up arms against the very men he had hosted as friends. He begs to be released from this obligation. Kriemhild holds him to his vow.

Gernot and Rüdiger face each other: host and guest, gift-giver and recipient. Gernot drives Rüdiger's own sword through the margrave's armor. In the same moment, Rüdiger's blade cuts through Gernot. Both men fall dead.