Epics and Romances of the Middle Ages
1917
Translated by Macdowall M. W.
Before Tolkien, before Wagner's ring cycle, before every fantasy epic ever written, there were these stories. This collection gathers the foundational myths of the Germanic world: Siegfried's radiant heroism and his fatal vulnerability, the cursed treasure of the Nibelungs, Arthur's doomed Camelot, and the brutal poetry of tribal wars between the Langobards and Gepidæ. Wägner renders these tales not as dusty artifacts but as living drama, where love and betrayal are inseparable, where honor demands impossible choices, and where heroes stride toward doom with their eyes wide open. The result is a window into a medieval imagination where legend and history bleed together, where fate is a river no one can swim against, and where the cost of glory is always paid in blood. For anyone who has felt the pull of ancient stories, these are the deep roots of the fantasy imagination.
About Epics and Romances of the Middle Ages
Chapter Summaries
- 1
- Alboin kills Künemund in battle and later marries his daughter Rosamund. After conquering Italy, he forces her to drink from her father's skull, leading to his murder by conspirators she recruits.
- 2
- King Rother of Bari seeks to marry Princess Oda of Constantinople. After his ambassadors are imprisoned, he disguises himself as the outlaw Dietrich to win her love and eventually succeeds through cunning and valor.
- 3
- King Ortnit of Lombardy, aided by the dwarf Alberich (his true father), wins Princess Sidrat in battle. However, treacherous gifts of dragon eggs ultimately lead to his death when the creatures mature and devour him.
Key Themes
- Honor and Vengeance
- Throughout the tales, characters are driven by codes of honor that demand vengeance for wrongs. Rosamund avenges her father, Wolfdieterich seeks to restore his rightful inheritance, and heroes consistently face the choice between mercy and justice.
- Loyalty and Betrayal
- The contrast between faithful servants like Berchtung and treacherous figures like Sabene drives much of the conflict. Loyalty is rewarded while betrayal ultimately leads to destruction, though often at great cost.
- Love and Sacrifice
- Romantic love motivates great quests and sacrifices, from Ortnit's journey to win Sidrat to Rother's elaborate deception for Oda. Love both ennobles and endangers the heroes, requiring them to risk everything.
Characters
- Alboin(protagonist)
- Langobardian king who conquers Italy and marries Rosamund. He is a mighty warrior but meets his death through his wife's vengeance after forcing her to drink from her father's skull.
- Rosamund(major)
- Daughter of Künemund, forced to marry Alboin after he kills her father. She orchestrates Alboin's murder to avenge her father's death.
- King Rother(protagonist)
- Ruler of Bari who wins Princess Oda through cunning and valor. He disguises himself as the outlaw Dietrich to court her and defeats her enemies.
- Princess Oda(major)
- Daughter of Emperor Constantine who falls in love with Rother when he appears disguised as Dietrich. She helps free his imprisoned messengers.
- Ortnit(protagonist)
- King of Lombardy with supernatural strength who wins Princess Sidrat but is ultimately killed by dragons sent as treacherous gifts. He possesses the magic sword Rosen.
- Alberich(major)
- Dwarf king who is Ortnit's true father. He provides magical armor and weapons, and aids his son in his quest for love and in battle.
