The Nibelungenlied · Chapter
Adventure XI: How Siegfried Went Home with His Wife explained
Siegfried and Kriemhilda prepare to leave Worms for Siegmund's kingdom.
What happens
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 Sieglind welcome them joyfully in Santen. Siegmund abdicates in favor of Siegfried, who becomes king. Kriemhilda bears a son named Gunther, and Sieglind dies. Meanwhile, Gunther and Brunhilda have a son named Siegfried. Siegfried rules the Nibelung kingdom and possesses the great treasure.
Themes in this chapter
Power and Wealth
Siegfried becomes king of the Netherlands and rules the Nibelung kingdom, possessing the greatest treasure; the chapter emphasizes the transfer of crowns and lands.
Loyalty and Friendship
Hagen's refusal to serve Kriemhilda highlights his loyalty to Gunther; the Burgundian princes offer Siegfried their faithful service.
Family and Dynasty
The chapter focuses on the birth of sons, the naming after uncles, and the continuation of royal lines in both Burgundy and the Netherlands.
Characters to notice
- Siegfried
Decides to return home with Kriemhilda; becomes king of the Netherlands after Siegmund abdicates; rules the Nibelung kingdom.
- Kriemhilda
Wishes to take Burgundian retainers; departs with a retinue; is welcomed by Siegmund and Sieglind; becomes queen and bears a son.
- Hagen
Refuses to serve Kriemhilda, declaring loyalty to Gunther.
- King Gunther
Offers Siegfried a share of the kingdom; later has a son named Siegfried with Brunhilda.
- Siegmund
Receives news of Siegfried's return; abdicates his crown in favor of Siegfried.
- Sieglind
Welcomes Kriemhilda; provides fine apparel; dies during this period.
- Giselher
Offers to share lands and castles with Siegfried and Kriemhilda.
- Count Eckewart
Accompanies Kriemhilda as part of her retinue.
Key passages
“Now that the guests departing all on their way were sped, Siegfried the son of Siegmund unto his people said: 'We likewise must make ready home to our land to go.'”
After the other guests had left, Siegfried announced to his followers that they too should prepare to return to their own country.
Siegfried initiates the departure from Worms.
“Then spake the noble Gernot: 'Take whom thou hast a mind; Of those who would ride with thee, thou here wilt plenty find! Of thirty hundred warriors a thousand we'll give thee To be thine own attendants.'”
Gernot told Kriemhilda she could choose any retainers she wished, offering a thousand warriors from their thirty hundred as her personal escort.
Gernot offers Kriemhilda a retinue for her journey.
“But Hagen, when he heard it, cried in a mood of wrath: 'Nay, Gunther may not give us to anyone on earth!'”
Hagen angrily refused to serve Kriemhilda, insisting that Gunther could not transfer his allegiance to anyone else.
Hagen's refusal underscores his loyalty to Gunther.
“Before his friends and kinsmen then noble Siegmund spake: 'I charge all Siegfried's kinsfolk notice hereby to take, That he, before these warriors, my crown henceforth shall wear.'”
Siegmund publicly declared before his family and followers that Siegfried would now wear the crown and rule.
Siegmund abdicates in favor of Siegfried.
“In this estate of honour, he lived, as all declare, And wore the crown and govern'd— until, in the tenth year, His comely wife in safety brought forth her firstborn son;”
Siegfried ruled honorably for ten years, at which point Kriemhilda gave birth to their first son.
Time jump to the birth of Siegfried and Kriemhilda's son.
