# The Nibelungenlied — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for The Nibelungenlied by Anonymous.

- [Editor's Preface](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/editor-s-preface.md): The preface explains the translator's approach to rendering the Nibelungenlied into English verse, balancing literal accuracy with metrical form. It reviews previous translations, discusses the challenges of translating 
- [The Nibelungenlied](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/the-nibelungenlied.md): The Nibelungenlied is a medieval epic poem that recounts the heroic and tragic tales of Siegfried, Kriemhilda, Gunther, Brunhilda, and Hagen, weaving themes of love, honor, betrayal, and revenge against a backdrop of cou
- [Adventure I: Kriemhilda](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-i-kriemhilda.md): The first adventure introduces Kriemhilda, a noble maiden of Burgundy, and her three royal brothers—Gunther, Gernot, and Giselher—who rule at Worms. The court is served by many valiant knights, including Hagen of Tronjé 
- [Adventure II: Siegfried](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-ii-siegfried.md): This chapter introduces Siegfried, the young prince of Netherland, son of King Siegmund and Queen Sieglind. It describes his upbringing, his knighting ceremony, and the grand festivities held in his honor. Siegfried is p
- [How Siegfried Came to Worms](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-iii-how-siegfried-came-to-worms.md): Siegfried, son of King Siegmund and Queen Sieglind, resolves to woo Kriemhilda of Burgundy despite his parents' fears. He rides with only eleven companions to Worms, where he challenges King Gunther for his lands and peo
- [Adventure IV: How Siegfried Fought the Saxons](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-iv-how-siegfried-fought-the-saxons.md): King Gunther receives a declaration of war from Kings Ludegast of Denmark and Ludeger of Saxony. Siegfried pledges his support and leads a Burgundian army, including Hagen, Gernot, Dankwart, Volker, and others, into batt
- [How Siegfried First Saw Kriemhilda](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-v-how-siegfried-first-saw-kriemhilda.md): During a grand Whitsun festival at Worms, Siegfried first sees Kriemhilda and is immediately captivated by her beauty. The Burgundian court celebrates with feasts and games, and Kriemhilda appears before the guests, dazz
- [How Gunther Went to Iceland After Brunhilda](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-vi-how-gunther-went-to-iceland-after-brunhilda.md): King Gunther decides to woo the formidable Queen Brunhilda of Iceland, who challenges suitors to three contests with death as the penalty for failure. Siegfried agrees to help Gunther in exchange for the hand of Kriemhil
- [How Gunther Won Brunhilda](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-vii-how-gunther-won-brunhilda.md): Gunther, Siegfried, Hagen, and Dankwart arrive at Brunhilda's castle. Gunther chooses Brunhilda as his desired bride, and Siegfried identifies her. The queen orders her maidens to prepare for the strangers. The heroes ri
- [How Siegfried Went to Fetch the Nibelungs](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-viii-how-siegfried-went-to-fetch-the-nibelungs.md): Siegfried, using his cloak of invisibility, sails alone to the Nibelung land, where he defeats a giant gatekeeper and the dwarf Alberich. After binding them, he reveals his identity and commands Alberich to summon a thou
- [How Siegfried Was Sent to Worms](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-ix-how-siegfried-was-sent-to-worms.md): As the party returns from Iceland, Hagen suggests that Siegfried be sent ahead as a herald to Worms. Gunther persuades Siegfried by invoking Kriemhilda's name, and Siegfried agrees. He delivers the joyful news of Gunther
- [Adventure X: How Brunhilda Was Received at Worms](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-x-how-brunhilda-was-received-at-worms.md): Brunhilda arrives at Worms and is warmly greeted by Kriemhilda, Queen Uté, and the Burgundian court. Amid the festivities, Siegfried and Kriemhilda are betrothed and married, while Gunther weds Brunhilda. However, Brunhi
- [Adventure XI: How Siegfried Went Home with His Wife](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xi-how-siegfried-went-home-with-his-wife.md): Siegfried and Kriemhilda prepare to leave Worms for Siegmund's kingdom. Kriemhilda wishes to take Burgundian retainers, but Hagen refuses to serve her. She departs with a retinue including Margrave Eckewart. Siegmund and
- [How Gunther Bade Siegfried to the Festival](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xii-how-gunther-bade-siegfried-to-the-festival.md): Brunhilda, brooding over Kriemhild's pride, persuades Gunther to invite Siegfried and Kriemhilda to a festival in Worms. Gunther sends Gere and thirty men as messengers. Siegfried and Kriemhilda receive the invitation wa
- [How They Journeyed to the Festival](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xiii-how-they-journeyed-to-the-festival.md): Siegfried and Kriemhilda journey from Niblung-land to Worms for a grand festival, leaving their infant son behind. They are warmly welcomed by King Gunther, Queen Brunhilda, and the Burgundian court. The arrival is marke
- [Adventure XIV: How the Queens Railed at One Another](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xiv-how-the-queens-railed-at-one-another.md): The public quarrel between Kriemhilda and Brunhilda escalates from a dispute over the status of their husbands to a bitter exchange of insults and accusations. Kriemhilda claims Siegfried is superior to Gunther, while Br
- [Adventure XV: How Siegfried Was Betrayed](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xv-how-siegfried-was-betrayed.md): King Gunther feigns a war threat from Ludegast and Ludeger to lure Siegfried into a trap. Hagen manipulates Kriemhilda into revealing Siegfried's vulnerable spot—a linden-leaf-shaped patch on his back where dragon blood 
- [Adventure XVI: How Siegfried Was Slain](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xvi-how-siegfried-was-slain.md): King Gunther and Hagen treacherously organize a hunt in the forest, intending to murder Siegfried. Despite Kriemhilda's ominous dream and pleas, Siegfried joins the hunt. After a day of exceptional hunting, the party res
- [Adventure XVII: How Kriemhilda Mourn'd for Her Husband, and How He Was Buried](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xvii-how-kriemhilda-mourn-d-for-her-husband-and-how-he-was-buried.md): Kriemhilda discovers Siegfried's murdered body and mourns deeply. She identifies Hagen as the killer and prevents Siegfried's men from attacking Gunther's court. Siegfried is buried with great ceremony and almsgiving aft
- [Adventure XVIII: How Siegmund Went Back to His Own Land](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xviii-how-siegmund-went-back-to-his-own-land.md): King Siegmund, Siegfried's father, urges Kriemhilda to return with him to the Nibelung land, offering her power and protection. However, Kriemhilda's brothers Giselher and Gernot, along with her mother Uté, persuade her 
- [How the Nibelung Hoard Was Brought to Worms](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xix-how-the-nibelung-hoard-was-brought-to-worms.md): Kriemhilda mourns Siegfried for years, refusing reconciliation with Gunther and Hagen. Eventually, she is persuaded to forgive Gunther, and the Nibelung hoard is brought to Worms as her rightful dowry. Hagen, fearing her
- [Adventure XX: How King Etzel Sent to Burgundy After Kriemhilda](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xx-how-king-etzel-sent-to-burgundy-after-kriemhilda.md): After the death of Queen Helka, King Etzel is persuaded by his advisors to woo Kriemhilda, the widowed queen of Siegfried. He sends the margrave Rüdeger as his envoy to Burgundy. Rüdeger arrives at Worms and delivers Etz
- [How Kriemhilda Went to the Huns](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxi-how-kriemhilda-went-to-the-huns.md): Kriemhilda journeys to the land of the Huns to marry King Etzel, accompanied by her retinue and escorted by Margrave Rüdeger. She is warmly welcomed by Bishop Pilgerin in Passau, and later by Rüdeger's wife Gotlinda and 
- [Adventure XXII: How Etzel Espoused Kriemhilda](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxii-how-etzel-espoused-kriemhilda.md): Kriemhilda travels to meet King Etzel, who woos and marries her in Vienna with great splendor. The wedding lasts seventeen days, with lavish gifts and feasting. Kriemhilda is welcomed by the Hunnish court and takes her p
- [Adventure XXIII: How Kriemhilda Thought to Avenge Her Injury](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxiii-how-kriemhilda-thought-to-avenge-her-injury.md): Kriemhilda, now Queen of the Huns and mother to Etzel's son Ortlieb, spends years cultivating her reputation and power. Nursing her grief over Siegfried's murder, she secretly plots revenge against Hagen and Gunther. She
- [Adventure XXIV: How Werbel and Schwemmel Did Their Errand](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxiv-how-werbel-and-schwemmel-did-their-errand.md): The Hunnish envoys Werbel and Schwemmel deliver King Etzel's invitation to the Burgundian court for a festival. Gunther and his brothers deliberate, with Hagen warning of Kriemhilda's potential vengeance. Despite Hagen's
- [Adventure XXV: How the Lords All Went to the Huns](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxv-how-the-lords-all-went-to-the-huns.md): The Burgundian lords, led by King Gunther, begin their journey to King Etzel's court. Hagen, acting as guide, leads them to the Danube, where they find the river overflowing and no ferry. Hagen seeks a ferryman, encounte
- [Adventure XXVI: How Gelfrat Was Slain by Dankwart](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxvi-how-gelfrat-was-slain-by-dankwart.md): After crossing the river, Hagen warns the Burgundians that mermaids have prophesied their doom, and that only the priest will return home. The ferryman's murder reaches Gelfrat and Else of Bavaria, who gather a force to 
- [Adventure XXVII: How They Came to Bechelaren](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxvii-how-they-came-to-bechelaren.md): The Burgundian kings and their retinue arrive at Bechelaren, where they are warmly welcomed by Margrave Rüdeger, his wife Gotlinda, and their daughter. The guests are lavishly entertained, and Rüdeger offers his daughter
- [Adventure XXVIII: How the Burgundians Came to Etzel’s Stronghold](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxviii-how-the-burgundians-came-to-etzel-s-stronghold.md): The Burgundians arrive at Etzel's court and are greeted by Dietrich and his warriors. Kriemhilda confronts Hagen about the Nibelung treasure, and tensions rise as she attempts to have the Burgundians' weapons taken from 
- [Adventure XXIX: How He Stood Not Up Before Her](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxix-how-he-stood-not-up-before-her.md): Kriemhilda spots Hagen and Volker from a window, is overcome with grief, and incites her Hunnish warriors to avenge Siegfried's murder. She gathers a band of four hundred men, but when she confronts Hagen, he does not de
- [Adventure XXX: How They Kept Watch and Ward](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxx-how-they-kept-watch-and-ward.md): As night falls, the Burgundian guests prepare for rest amid growing tension. Hagen and Volker volunteer to keep watch, with Volker playing his fiddle to soothe the warriors. During the night, Volker spots armed men appro
- [Adventure XXXI: How They Went to Church](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxxi-how-they-went-to-church.md): As morning breaks, Hagen warns the Burgundians to arm themselves fully for church, anticipating Kriemhilda's treachery. At the Minster, Hagen and Volker stand defiantly, refusing to yield space to the queen's retinue. La
- [Adventure XXXII: How Bloedelin Was Slain](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxxii-how-bloedelin-was-slain.md): Bloedel and his thousand Hunnish warriors confront Dankwart and his Burgundian yeomen at the table. Bloedel declares that the attack is vengeance for Siegfried's murder, orchestrated by Kriemhilda. Dankwart slays Bloedel
- [Adventure XXXIII: How the Burgundians Fought with the Huns](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxxiii-how-the-burgundians-fought-with-the-huns.md): Dankwart bursts into the hall covered in blood, reporting that Bloedel and his men have killed the Burgundian retainers, but that he himself slew Bloedel. Hagen then kills the young prince Ortlieb and the minstrel Werbel
- [Adventure XXXIV: How They Cast Forth the Dead](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxxiv-how-they-cast-forth-the-dead.md): After a fierce battle, the Burgundian knights, led by Giselher, Hagen, and Volker, clear the hall of seven thousand dead Huns, casting them outside. Volker taunts the Huns for their cowardice and kills a margrave attempt
- [Adventure XXXV: How Iring Was Slain](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxxv-how-iring-was-slain.md): Iring of Denmark challenges Hagen to single combat, but after a fierce exchange with Hagen, Volker, Gunther, Gernot, and Giselher, he is mortally wounded by Hagen's javelin. His death spurs the Danes and Thuringians to a
- [Adventure XXXVI: How the Queen Bade That the Hall Be Set on Fire](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxxvi-how-the-queen-bade-that-the-hall-be-set-on-fire.md): After a day-long battle, the Burgundian guests, led by Gunther, Gernot, Giselher, and Hagen, are trapped in a hall and refuse a truce. Kriemhilda, seeking vengeance for Siegfried's murder, orders the hall set on fire. Th
- [Adventure XXXVII: How the Margrave Rüdeger Was Slain](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxxvii-how-the-margrave-r-deger-was-slain.md): Rüdeger is torn between his loyalty to King Etzel and Queen Kriemhilda and his bonds of friendship and kinship with the Burgundians, whom he himself led to the feast. After being taunted by a Hun, he kills the man, then 
- [Adventure XXXVIII: How Lord Dietrich’s Warriors All Were Slain](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxxviii-how-lord-dietrich-s-warriors-all-were-slain.md): The chapter recounts the aftermath of Rüdeger's death, as Dietrich's warriors, led by the aged Hildebrand and the fiery Wolfhart, confront the Burgundians in grief and anger. Despite Dietrich's attempts to maintain peace
- [Adventure XXXIX: How Gunther and Hagen and Kriemhilda Were Slain](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxxix-how-gunther-and-hagen-and-kriemhilda-were-slain.md): Dietrich of Bern confronts Gunther and Hagen for the deaths of his men and Rüdeger, offering them safe passage if they surrender. They refuse, leading to a fierce battle where Dietrich defeats and binds both Gunther and 
- [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/endnotes.md): The chapter provides endnotes clarifying references to the Hood of Darkness (or Invisibility) and the city of Verona.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters