Still not all the Teutonic epics are of pagan origin, for in the
second period we find such works as Visions of Judgment (Muspilli),
Lives of Saints, and biblical narratives like Heliant (the Saviour),
Judith, the Exodus, der Krist by Otfried, and monkish-political works
like the Ludwigslied, or history of the invasion of the Normans. There
is also the epic of Walter von Aquitanien, which, although written in
Latin, shows many traces of German origin.

In Walther von Aquitanien we have an epic of the Burgundian-Hunnish
cycle written by Ekkehard of St. Gall before 973. It relates the escape
of Walther von Aquitanien and his betrothed Hildegund from the court
of Attila, where the young man was detained as a hostage. After
describing their preparations for flight, their method of travel and
camping, the poet relates how they were overtaken in the Vosges
Mountains by a force led by Gunther and Hagen, who wish to secure the
treasures they are carrying. Warned in time by Hildegund,--who keeps
watch while he sleeps,--Walther dons his armor, and single-handed
disposes of many foes. When Gunther Hagen, and Walther alone survive,
although sorely disabled, peace is concluded, and the lovers resume
their journey and reach Aquitania safely, where they reign happily
thirty years.

In the third period "the crusades revived the epic memories of
Charlemagne and Roland and of the triumphs of Alexander," thus giving
birth to a Rolandslied and an Alexanderlied, as well as to endless
chivalrie epics, or romances in verse and prose.

The Rolandslied--an art epic--gives the marriage and banishment of
Charlemagne's sister Bertha, the birth of Roland, the manner in which