Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

The growing research interest in the ANibelungenliedA and problems of heroic literature in general has also led to heightened interest in AKudrunA. The verse epic is much influenced by the ANibelungenliedA and is cast in a stanza form derived from the ANibelungenA stanza. At the same time it presents a complementary view of the events in question. Here the decline of heroism is not the main theme of the plot but its replacement by the new, gentler spirit of courtly mores. In its central section the poem is a paean to the superiority of female constancy and capacity for uncomplaining suffering over the gory heroics of the declining era.