Rüdiger von Bechelaren is a legendary hero of German mythology immortalised in the

Nibelungenlied The (, or ; 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 of Germanic hero ...

saga. Serving as the Austrian

Margrave Margrave was originally the Middle Ages, medieval title for the military commander assigned to maintain the defence of one of the border provinces of the Holy Roman Empire or a monarchy, kingdom. That position became hereditary in certain Feudal ...

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

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 rul ...

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

Hagen Hagen () is a city in the States of Germany, state of North Rhine-Westphalia, in western Germany, on the southeastern edge of the Ruhr area, 15 km south of Dortmund, where the rivers Lenne and Volme meet the Ruhr (river), Ruhr. In 2023, the ...

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 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.

Sources

{{Authority control Der Ring des Nibelungen German heroic legends Nibelung tradition Legendary Norsemen