Character guide

Siegfried

major

Also known as young Siegfried, gallant Siegfried, Sir Siegfried, the Netherlander Siegfried, Prince Siegfried, the hero Siegfried of Netherland

Hero of Netherland who wins Kriemhilda and is treacherously slain by Hagen.

Kriemhilda

major

Also known as Lady Kriemhild, Dame Kriemhild, Queen Kriemhilda, fair Kriemhilda, wicked Kriemhild

Sister of Gunther, wife of Siegfried, later queen of Etzel, driven by vengeance.

Hagen

major

Also known as Hagen of Tronjé, Tronjé, bold Hagen, grim Hagen, the doughty Hagen, Tronian Hagen

Vassal of Gunther, slayer of Siegfried, key defender of the Burgundians.

King Gunther

major

Also known as Gunther, noble Gunther, the wealthy Gunther, Lord Gunther

King of Burgundy, brother of Kriemhilda, husband of Brunhilda.

Etzel

major

Also known as King Etzel, the mighty Etzel

King of the Huns who marries Kriemhilda and hosts the fatal feast.

Brunhilda

supporting

Also known as Queen Brunhilda, Dame Brunhilda, the beauteous Brunhilda, Brunhild

Queen of Iceland, later wife of Gunther, rival of Kriemhilda.

Rüdeger

supporting

Also known as Sir Rüdeger, Lord Rüdeger, the Margrave Rüdeger, Good Rüdeger

Margrave of Bechelaren, loyal vassal of Etzel, caught in tragic conflict.

Lord Dietrich

supporting

Also known as Dietrich of Bern, noble Dietrich, Sir Dietrich

Lord of Bern, powerful ally of Etzel, later avenges his men.

Giselher

supporting

Also known as young Giselher, Giselher the young, Lord Giselher, Giselher the youthful

Youngest brother of Gunther, a Burgundian prince slain in the hall.

Gernot

supporting

Also known as King Gernot, noble Gernot, Lord Gernot, Stout Gernot

Brother of Gunther, a Burgundian prince and warrior.

Volker

supporting

Also known as the fiddler Volker, gallant Volker, Volker the quick

Burgundian minstrel and warrior, close companion of Hagen.

Dankwart

supporting

Also known as Sir Dankwart, bold Dankwart, Brother Dankwart, the gallant Dankwart

Brother of Hagen, Burgundian marshal slain early in the battle.

Siegmund

supporting

Also known as King Siegmund, noble Siegmund, Lord Siegmund, Sir Siegmund

Father of Siegfried, king of Netherland, returns home after Siegfried's death.

Wolfhart

supporting

Also known as the gallant Wolfhart, the fiery Wolfhart

Nephew of Hildebrand, a fierce warrior of Dietrich's retinue.

Hildebrand

supporting

Also known as the aged Hildebrand, Master Hildebrand, old Hildebrand, ancient Hildebrand

Aged warrior and mentor to Dietrich, survives the final battle.

Bloedel

supporting

Also known as the Lord Bloedel, Lord Bloedel, Sir Bloedelin

Brother of Etzel, leads an attack on the Burgundians and is slain.

Iring

minor

Also known as gallant Iring, Sir Iring

A Hun warrior who challenges the Burgundians and is killed by Hagen.

Dame Uté

minor

Also known as Uté, Queen Uté, noble Uté

Mother of Gunther, Gernot, Giselher, and Kriemhilda.

Gotlinda

minor

Also known as fair Gotlinda, dame Gotlinda, Lady Gotelinda, the noble Gotelinda

Wife of Rüdeger, hostess to the Burgundians at Bechelaren.

Helka

minor

Also known as lady Helka, the fair Helka, Queen Helka, dame Helka

First wife of Etzel, deceased before the main events.

Ludegast

minor

Also known as King Ludegast, King Ludegast of Denmark

King of Denmark, defeated by Siegfried in battle.

Ludeger

minor

Also known as King Ludeger the Saxon, Ludeger the Saxon

Saxon king defeated by Siegfried alongside Ludegast.

Gelfrat

minor

Also known as Sir Gelfrat

Bavarian knight slain by Dankwart during the journey to Etzel's court.

Ortwein

minor

Also known as Sir Ortwein, gallant Ortwein

Burgundian knight, nephew of Hagen, fights in the final battle.

Count Eckewart

minor

Also known as Eckewart, Counts Eckewart

Burgundian vassal who warns the heroes of danger at Etzel's court.

Alberich

minor

Also known as Albrich

Dwarf guardian of the Nibelung treasure, defeated by Siegfried.

Sieglind

minor

Also known as Fair Sieglind, Sieglinda, Dame Sieglinda, Siegelind

Mother of Siegfried, queen of Netherland.

Rumold

minor

Burgundian steward who advises against the journey to Etzel's court.

Sindold

minor

Also known as Sir Sindold

Burgundian knight, one of Gunther's household warriors.

Hunold

minor

Burgundian knight, chamberlain of Gunther's court.

Gere

minor

Also known as Gere the Margrave, the gallant Gere, Sir Gere

Burgundian margrave, messenger and warrior.

Werbel

minor

Also known as Werbelin

Hun minstrel sent as messenger to invite the Burgundians.

Schwemmel

minor

Also known as Schwemmelin

Hun minstrel who accompanies Werbel on the embassy.

Pilgerin

minor

Also known as The Bishop Pilgrin, Quoth Pilgerin

Bishop of Passau, relative of Kriemhilda, hosts the Burgundians.

Ortlieb

minor

Young son of Etzel and Kriemhilda, slain in the hall.

Helfrich

minor

Also known as warrior Helfrich, the stalwart Helfrich

Warrior in Dietrich's retinue, slain in the final battle.

Irnfried

minor

Also known as Sir Irnfried

Landgrave of Thuringia, fights on Etzel's side.

Haward

minor

Also known as the stalwart Haward

Danish warrior who attacks the Burgundians at Etzel's court.

Nudung

minor

A Hun warrior slain in the battle, mentioned by Kriemhilda.

Aldrian

minor

Also known as the bold Aldrian

Father of Hagen and Dankwart, mentioned as a vassal.

Dankrat

minor

Father of Gunther, Gernot, Giselher, and Kriemhilda, deceased.

Amelrich

minor

A warrior of Dietrich's, slain in the final battle.

Hornboge

minor

A Hun warrior killed by Volker during the battle.