flowing waters there came also bright and sunny tidings from
the land of Germany to Fuhnen.

There stood on the rich banks of the Maine, where it pours
its waters through the fertile land of Franconia, a castle
of almost royal magnificence, whose orphan-mistress was a
relation of the German emperor. She was named Hildegardis;
and was acknowledged far and wide as the fairest of maidens.
Therefore her imperial uncle wished that she should wed none
but the bravest knight who could anywhere be met with.
Accordingly he followed the example of many a noble lord in
such a case, and proclaimed a tournament, at which the chief
prize should be the hand of the peerless Hildegardis, unless
the victor already bore in his heart a lady wedded or
betrothed to him; for the lists were not to be closed to any
brave warrior of equal birth, that the contest of strength and
courage might be so much the richer in competitors.

Now the renowned Froda had tidings of this from his German
brethren-in-arms; and he prepared himself to appear at the
festival. Before all things, he forged for himself a splendid
suit of armour; as, indeed, he was the most excellent armourer
of the north, far-famed as it is for skill in that art. He
worked the helmet out of pure gold, and formed it so that it
seemed to be covered with bright flowing locks, which called
to mind Aslauga's tresses. He also fashioned, on the
breastplate of his armour, overlaid with silver, a golden
image in half relief, which represented Aslauga in her veil of
flowing locks, that he might make known, even at the beginning
of the tournament--"This knight, bearing the image of a lady