For centuries, 'The Nibelungenlied' has fascinated readers and writers, providing material for grand operas and epic films - from Hans Sachs to Richard Wagner and from Fritz Lang to J.R.R. Tolkien. Yet no work has a greater allure than the greatest German heroic epic of the Middle Ages itself. Here, we encounter the darker sides of humanity and power in the gripping story of Siegfried's murder and Kriemhild's revenge: lies and intrigues, betrayal and deception. With numerous annotations, explanations of words, and bibliographical references. Featuring a contribution from Kindler's Literary Lexicon.