
This eBook is dedicated to the memory of
Translator’s Preface
Illustrations
Chapter I Wieland the Smith
Chapter II Dietrich’s Fight with Ecke
Chapter III Siegfried in the Forge
Chapter IV Siegfried and the Nibelungs
Chapter V Siegfried goes to Burgundy
Chapter VI Siegfried makes War against the Saxons
Chapter VII The Festival
A soaring saga of heroic youth, this retelling brings the medieval German epic to life for modern ears. The story follows the reckless yet noble Siegfried, a dragon‑slayer whose strength and daring earn him the legendary Nibelung treasure. After winning the hoard in distant Norway, he rides to Burgundy, where he is drawn into a tangled court of kings, queens, and bold challenges that test his loyalty and courage.
The narrative weaves together dazzling battles, magical forges, and the fierce rivalry of rival warriors, all rendered in a brisk, lyrical voice that echoes the original ballads. Siegfried’s charm and ambition attract Brunhild, a formidable queen, while his growing bond with Kriemhild hints at deeper alliances. As alliances shift and honor is put on trial, listeners are swept into a world where bravery and betrayal walk hand in hand, setting the stage for the legendary tragedies that will follow.
Language
en
Duration
~3 hours (180K characters)
Series
Life stories for young people
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Original publisher
Chicago: A. C. McClurg & Co., 1906.
Credits
D A Alexander, David E. Brown, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Release date
2024-03-21
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1816–1890
A 19th-century German writer and educator, he brought history and legend to young readers in lively, accessible books. Several of his works later reached English-language audiences through translation, helping his stories travel well beyond Germany.
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