The Nibelungenlied says Hagen sank a widow's bridal treasure in the Rhine, and she had her brother beheaded trying to learn where

The Nibelungenlied is a Middle High German epic written down about 1200, probably at the court of Bishop Wolfger von Erla of Passau. Scholars say its Burgundians and Huns echo real events of the 430s and 450s, but Siegfried cannot be tied to any historical person. In G. H. Needler's translation, Siegfried owns the Nibelung hoard. After Hagen murders him, his widow Kriemhild claims the hoard as "her bridal portion." Her brothers send 8,000 men to fetch it; a dozen wagons need four days and nights to carry it to Worms. Kriemhild gives gold to rich and poor and gains followers. Hagen argues that a woman should not hold such wealth, takes all the keys, and while the kings are away sinks the treasure in the Rhine. The kings swear it will stay hidden while any of them lives. Years later Kriemhild, now married to Etzel, has her brothers at her court. She tells the captive Hagen she will spare him if he returns what he took. He says he has sworn not to reveal it while any of his lords lives. She has her brother Gunther beheaded and carries the head to Hagen by the hair. Hagen answers that now only God and he know where the treasure is. She cuts off his head with Siegfried's sword. Hildebrand then kills her. The three main manuscripts were added to UNESCO's Memory of the World Register in 2009.