Nibelungenlied

After some time, rumors of beautiful women in Iceland reach Burgundy. Gunther desires an Icelandic wife and specifically sets his heart on Queen Brunhild, who is known to compete in sports against her suitors and behead them when they lose. Siegfried advises Gunther to stay away from Brunhild since “her terrible ways […] cost any man dear who woos her” (53). Hagen advises Gunther to bring Siegfried with him. Siegfried agrees to accompany Gunther so long as he gives him his blessing to marry Kriemhild, and Gunther agrees.

When asked how the Burgundians should travel, Siegfried cautions against bringing a full army; he says only Gunther, Hagen, Hagen’s brother Dancwart, and himself should go. Siegfried also proposes that they bring splendid garments; Hagen suggests that they ask Kriemhild and her maidens to prepare said clothing. Kriemhild and her 30 maidens create clothes out of “the best Moroccan and Libyan silk that a royal family ever acquired” with linings “covered instead with coal-black brocades all spangled with brilliant stones set in Arabian gold such as would well become brave warriors on festive occasions today” (56). Kriemhild begs Gunther to stay, but he refuses; she asks Siegfried to protect her brother.