A man returning from war after being thought dead. This theme, widely used in literature starting from the Odyssey—where Odysseus returns to Ithaca to reclaim the island from the suitors—should not be seen merely as a narrative device. These stories could also happen in reality. A similar case is recounted in the Chronicles of Saint Gall regarding the Swabian Count Ulrich, who lived in the 10th century and belonged to the Udalriching dynasty. The chronicler Ekkehard describes him as "a count of the line of Charles" (from Carolingian blood?). Ulrich married Wendilgarde, with whom he had several children. When the Hungarians invaded Bavaria, Ulrich opposed them in battle but was captured and taken to their land. His fate remained uncertain, and many believed him to be dead. Wendilgarde then received several marriage proposals, all of which she refused. Almost a widow, she settled in Saint Gall, where she built a "warm room" near Saint Wiborada and decided to become a nun.

On the fourth anniversary of Ulrich’s “death,” Wendilgarde went to Buchorn to distribute alms to the poor, as was her custom. Among them was Ulrich, who, having escaped the Hungarians, had hidden among the beggars. He asked his wife, whom he had not been recognized by, for a cloak. Unaware of his identity, she scolded him for his bold request but granted it. As she handed it to him, Ulrich grabbed her hand, held her close, and kissed her. The onlookers, stunned, threatened to attack him, but he revealed himself, and his soldiers and servants, recognizing him, cheered.

Wendilgarde, still in disbelief, had to be convinced: Ulrich showed her an old wound (similar to the episode in the Odyssey, where Odysseus is recognized by his nurse Euriclea through a scar), and finally, his wife succumbed to his affection. However, one problem remained: Wendilgarde was now a nun. A compromise was reached: Bishop Salomon and the synod removed her veil, with the condition that Wendilgarde would have to take it back if Ulrich "died again." They were married again, and she became pregnant. However, she died, and their son, Bucardo, later became abbot of Saint Gall.