[224] The MS. here (v. 62) is defective, but no other interpretation is probable.
[225] The MS. once has Thióðmar, as against two examples of Thióðrekr in the verses and one in the introduction. Is it really impossible that the name has been altered by a scribe familiar with Thiðreks Saga? Cf. Jónsson, Oldn. Litteraturs Historie, I 295.
[226] This tendency is doubtless due largely to the influence of romantic poetry.
[227] Prof. Brandl, Grundriss, II 953, calls attention to the fact that the Bernician king Ida is said to have had two sons called Theodric and Theodhere. But is not the date rather early? The occurrence of the name Sigesteb in the council of Ecgberht, king of Wessex (Birch, 395), is perhaps stronger evidence. The name Omulung which is found more than a century earlier (Birch, 76, 116) scarcely necessitates acquaintance with the story of Dietrich von Bern.
[228] The case would be different if it could be proved that the person described as skati Marika (Maringa) in the inscription of Rök was Dietrich von Bern.
[229] It is worth noting that in Widsith, v. 115, Seafola and Theodric (i.e. Saben and Wolfdietrich) appear among the Gothic heroes.
[230] This version (represented by the Ann. Quedl., cf. p. [37], note), like the Norse, added a third brother, though he bears a different name. But the person killed, whose name is not given, is said to have been the father of the brothers, not their sister.
[231] Hermanaricus rex Gothorum ... de Hunorum ... aduentu dum cogitat, Rosomonorum gens infida, quae tunc inter alias illi famulatum exhibebat, tali eum nanciscitur occasione decipere. dum enim quandam mulierem, Sunildam nomine, ex gente memorata, pro mariti fraudulento discessu rex furore commotus equis ferocibus inligatam incitatisque cursibus per diuersa diuelli praecepisset, fratres eius Sarus et Ammius germanae obitum uindicantes, Hermanarici latus ferro petierunt; quo uulnere saucius, aegram uitam corporis imbecillitate contraxit.... inter haec Hermanaricus tam uulneris dolorem, quam etiam Hunorum incursiones non ferens ... defunctus est (cap. 24).
[232] The Frankish queen Brunhild was put to death in a similar way in the year 613. We may also compare the Thuringian atrocities described by Gregory of Tours (III 7).
[233] The chief exception is the part played by Wiglaf; possibly also the incident of the cowardly knights.