Hildebrand- Germanic HeroHero

Dietrich's Loyal Retainer

In the Germanic legendary tradition, Hildebrand is the master-at-arms and closest companion of Dietrich von Bern. When Dietrich is driven into exile by his uncle Ermenrich, Hildebrand accompanies him, serving faithfully through thirty years of wandering at the court of Etzel. His loyalty to Dietrich is absolute, but it cost him his family. When he left for exile, he left behind a young wife and an infant son, Hadubrand.

The Hildebrandslied

The Hildebrandslied, the oldest surviving German heroic poem, tells of Hildebrand's return. Two champions ride out between opposing armies to fight. The older warrior asks the younger his name. The young man identifies himself as Hadubrand, son of Hildebrand, whom he believes is dead.

Hildebrand realizes he faces his own son and tries to reveal his identity, offering arm-rings as proof. But Hadubrand rejects him. He has been told his father died long ago and suspects this old warrior is a cunning Hun trying to trick him. Hildebrand is trapped: if he refuses combat, he is a coward; if he fights, he must kill his own son. The heroic code offers no escape. He cries: "Welaga nu, waltant got, wewurt skihit." Alas now, ruling God, a grievous fate comes to pass.

The Tragic Outcome

The manuscript breaks off during the battle. The Old Norse Ásmundar saga kappabana preserves the conclusion: Hildebrand kills Hadubrand. The father triumphs at the cost of destroying what he loved most. Later versions soften this ending; the fifteenth-century Younger Hildebrandslied has father and son recognize each other in time. But the original tradition almost certainly ended in tragedy.