In addition, India is thought to have one of the biggest gold hoards, at 7,000 tons, in the world.

Coveting the gold hoard, Regin goads Sigurd into fighting Fafnir by accusing him of cowardice.

Unimpressed, Sigurd asks Regin whether he desires his brother's death for justice or the gold hoard.

Although Fafnir warns him of the curse, Sigurd is unmoved, believing that the dragon wishes only to preserve his gold hoard.

As soon as he has finished, Sigurd takes the harp and sings of Brynhild and the gold hoard.

As time passes, the news of Brynhild and the gold hoard reaches Grimhild's ears.

He further demands Fafnir's gold hoard as the price of their lives.

In 2007 there have been calls in the local Cornish press for the gold hoard to be returned to Cornwall from the British Museum.

Huge Anglo-Saxon gold hoard found, BBC News, with photos.

"So," said Phil, "you think Kessler might have plun- dered some secret gold hoard in Germany to start his factory?"