Rüdiger von Bechelaren is a legendary hero of

German mythology Continental Germanic mythology formed an element within Germanic paganism as practiced in parts of Central Europe occupied by Germanic peoples up to and including the 6th to 8th centuries (the period of Germanic Christianization). Traces of s ...

immortalised in the

Nibelungenlied The ( gmh, Der Nibelunge liet or ), translated as ''The Song of the Nibelungs'', is an epic poetry, epic poem written around 1200 in Middle High German. Its anonymous poet was likely from the region of Passau. The is based on an oral tradition ...

saga. Serving as the Austrian

Margrave Margrave was originally the medieval title for the military commander assigned to maintain the defence of one of the border provinces of the Holy Roman Empire or of a kingdom. That position became hereditary in certain feudal families in the Emp ...

Pöchlarn Pöchlarn ( bar, Böchlarn) is a town in the district of Melk in the Austrian state of Lower Austria. The painter and writer Oskar Kokoschka was born here in 1886. Population Personalities * Rüdiger von Bechelaren * Oskar Kokoschka, painte ...

and a member of Etzel's court, he becomes conflicted after swearing oaths to uphold two factions that ultimately go to war against each other.

Character

Rüdiger is noted for his hospitality and kindness throughout the story, and offers his daughter's hand in marriage to

Giselher of Burgundy Giselher was a king of Burgundy in the Nibelungenlied, brother to kings Gunther and Gundomar I (also called Gernot). Historically, these correspond to three sons of king Gebicca, Gundomar, Gislaharius (Giselher) and Gundaharius (Gunther), who ...

. While escorting the Burgundian envoy to

Kriemhilde Gudrun ( ; non, Guðrún) or Kriemhild ( ; gmh, Kriemhilt) is the wife of Sigurd/Siegfried and a major figure in Germanic heroic legend and literature. She is believed to have her origins in Ildico, last wife of Attila the Hun, and two que ...

, he swears his absolute protection to them. However Kriemhilde takes offence at the actions of

Hagen Hagen () is the Largest cities in Germany, 41st-largest List of cities and towns in Germany, city in Germany. The municipality is located in the States of Germany, state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It is located on the south eastern edge of the R ...

and demands Rüdiger assist her in warring against him. Caught between the conflicting loyalties, Rüdiger is asked by Hagen in the middle of the ensuing battle to fulfill his earlier vow and give up his battle-shield to Hagen who has lost his own, despite fighting on the opposite side. Rüdiger complies, and is then killed by

Gernot Gernot is a German masculine given name, derived from Old High German "ger" (spear) and "khnoton" (to brandish). It is rare, but still in use in German speaking countries today. Gundomar I, King of the Burgundians c. 407–411 is named Gernot in ...

who is wielding a sword that Rudiger had likewise gifted him.

History

Like many legendary figures, there are only traces that can be connected in history. In the necrology of the former canon of St. Andrä an der Traisen on December 4, 1203, there is an entry for a certain "Rudegerus Marchio", or "Markgrave Rüdiger". As mythological figures were never added to death logs, it is assumed that this is evidence that Rüdiger von Bechelaren is indeed an historical person.https://www.dmgh.de/mgh_necr_5/index.htm#page/361/mode/1up

Sources

Der Ring des Nibelungen German heroic legends Nibelung tradition Legendary Norsemen {{Myth-stub