Concerning Dwarves

Pontius and Sidonie, cpg 142 (1475); Univ. of Heidelberg Library

One should also know why God allowed the little dwarves and the huge giants and, after that, heroes to exist.

First of all, He allowed dwarves to exist for the reason that the land and the hills were deserted und unsettled, and a wealth of silver and gold and precious stones and pearls were in the mountains. That's why God made dwarves so clever and wise that they could differentiate between evil and good and also what use all things could be put to. They also knew what stones were good for, including many stones that gave superhuman strength. Others could make invisible anyone who carried them. This was called a hood of fog. And that's why God gave dwarves so much skill in crafts and wisdom so that they built extensive mines in the mountains and gave from them to the nobles so that the nobles became kings and to lords and to heroes as well, and they gave generously to them of their treasure.

And then God allowed giants to exist. That was because they were supposed to slay wild animals and great dragons, so that the dwarves would be more secure and then could settle the land. But after a few years the giants had caused the dwarves so much trouble that the giants became evil and treacherous.

After that God made strong heroes who were to become the middle people among the three peoples. And one should know that the heroes were faithful and doughty for many, many years. And for that reason they were supposed to come to the aid of the dwarves against the giants and also against the wild animals and dragons. The land was entirely wilderness back then, and that's why God made strong heroes and gave to them the sort of character by which their courage and spirit would always show manliness in quest of honor and the desire for battle and war.

There were also many kings among the dwarves who had giants for servants, for they had peaceful lands that lay close to wild woods and hills near their houses. The heroes also always recognized the noble conduct and honor of women and were inclined towards acts of justice such as protecting widows and orphans. They also did no harm to women unless their own persons were in danger and came to their aid always when they were in difficulty. And indulged in great acts of manliness for women's sake, both in pleasureful and in serious matters.

And it should be known that the giants were all emperors, kings, dukes, counts, and lords, knights who were vassals and squires, and all were of noble stock. And no peasant was ever a hero. And from this all lords and noble people are descended.

The son of King Gunther slew the old Master Hildebrand before the city of Verona. There all of the heroes were slain.

Source:

Prologue to the Ambraser Book of Heroes

Compiled in Vienna, 1506.

Translated by David F. Tinsley