Ermenrichs Tod

The ballad, which is printed in a highly garbled form, tells the story of how Ermenrich is killed by Dietrich von Bern and several other heroes.

The poem shows numerous similarities to older stories about Ermenrich attested in early medieval and Old Norse sources.

As one of his companions Dietrich receives the gigantic King Blödelinck, who is only twelve years old and is the son of a Frankish widow.

[2] Victor Millet suggests that it was printed in honor of King Christian II of Denmark, who returned from exile in the Netherlands at this time.

[4] Elisabeth Lienert finds this interpretation questionable, however notes that Juncker Baltzer, the text printed alongside Ermenrichs Tod, is clearly about Christian.

Lastly, Ermenrich's death is reminiscent of the Svanhild episode recorded in the Poetic Edda and other sources, as the sons of Jónakr also pass by a set of gallows on their way to confront Jörmunrekkr.