Dietmar, second son of Hugdieterich, ruled with a strong hand at Bern,
and refused to acknowledge his elder brother Ermenrich, or any other
king as his suzerain. He was a mighty warrior, and so terrible in
battle that few of his enemies dared look him in the face. But at home
he was gentle to all, especially to his wife Odilia, daughter of
Elsung, or, according to another saga, daughter of a Danish king. His
eldest son, Dietrich, was the joy of his heart. At twelve years old the
lad had the strength of a mighty warrior. His fair hair fell over his
shoulders in heavy curls. His figure was tall and slender, yet strong
and well-knit. He had regular features, but when he was angry, he was
terrible to look upon. From his earliest childhood any one might see
that he would become a lion-hearted hero. It was even said that his
breath was like glowing fire when he was angry, and this the people
thought an undoubted proof that he was descended from a demon ancestor.
When Dietrich was five years old, a famous hero came to his father’s
court. This was Hildebrand, son of Herbrand, and grandson of the
faithful Berchtung. As we said before, Herbrand’s fief consisted of the
district and castle of Garden. He had brought up his son in the
traditional way, so that he grew up to be a perfect warrior, and a wise
man. King Dietmar was so pleased with his guest that he appointed him
to be his son’s teacher and governor. This was the beginning of a
friendship between master and pupil that lasted till death parted them.