Hildebrand left his infant son Hadubrand behind when he rode into exile with Dietrich von Bern. Thirty years later, father and son face each other across the battlefield as strangers.
Hildebrand slew his own son Hadubrand in single combat, the young warrior's refusal to believe the old stranger's identity forcing a duel neither could escape.
⚠ The original Hildebrandslied (c. 830) breaks off during the fight, leaving the outcome unknown. The Jüngeres Hildebrandslied has a happy ending with recognition. The Þiðreks saga preserves the tragic ending where the father kills the son.
We use cookies to understand how you use our site and improve your experience. Learn more