Nibelungenlied Chapter Summary & Analysis - Adventure 14, How the Two Queens Reviled One Another Summary

Adventure 14, How the Two Queens Reviled One Another Summary

One day the two queens sit together and Kriemhild comments that Siegfried is so mighty that he should rule over Gunther's kingdoms. Brunhild states that Siegfried's only chance of ruling Gunther's land would come only if he were the last man alive. Kriemhild continues to extol the power of her husband and Brunhild answers back against Siegfried until finally she tells Kriemhild that Siegfried is nothing more than Gunther's vassal. Furthermore, Brunhild asserts that she is honored more than is Kriemhild. Upset by these comments, Siegfried's wife proposes a contest to see who the better woman is. Kriemhild states that she will enter the church before Brunhild and Siegfried will enter the courts before the Burgundian knights.

The women separate their maidens as each prepares to go before the minister. As the men stand around waiting for the arrival of the queens, they are shocked to see the women arrive...
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