# The Nibelungenlied — Character guide

> Key figures in The Nibelungenlied by Anonymous.

- [Siegfried](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/siegfried.md): Hero of Netherland who wins Kriemhilda and is treacherously slain by Hagen.
- [Kriemhilda](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/kriemhilda.md): Sister of Gunther, wife of Siegfried, later queen of Etzel, driven by vengeance.
- [Hagen](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/hagen.md): Vassal of Gunther, slayer of Siegfried, key defender of the Burgundians.
- [King Gunther](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/gunther.md): King of Burgundy, brother of Kriemhilda, husband of Brunhilda.
- [Etzel](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/etzel.md): King of the Huns who marries Kriemhilda and hosts the fatal feast.
- [Brunhilda](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/brunhilda.md): Queen of Iceland, later wife of Gunther, rival of Kriemhilda.
- [Rüdeger](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/rudeger.md): Margrave of Bechelaren, loyal vassal of Etzel, caught in tragic conflict.
- [Lord Dietrich](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/dietrich.md): Lord of Bern, powerful ally of Etzel, later avenges his men.
- [Giselher](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/giselher.md): Youngest brother of Gunther, a Burgundian prince slain in the hall.
- [Gernot](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/gernot.md): Brother of Gunther, a Burgundian prince and warrior.
- [Volker](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/volker.md): Burgundian minstrel and warrior, close companion of Hagen.
- [Dankwart](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/dankwart.md): Brother of Hagen, Burgundian marshal slain early in the battle.
- [Siegmund](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/siegmund.md): Father of Siegfried, king of Netherland, returns home after Siegfried's death.
- [Wolfhart](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/wolfhart.md): Nephew of Hildebrand, a fierce warrior of Dietrich's retinue.
- [Hildebrand](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/hildebrand.md): Aged warrior and mentor to Dietrich, survives the final battle.
- [Bloedel](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/bloedel.md): Brother of Etzel, leads an attack on the Burgundians and is slain.
- [Iring](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/iring.md): A Hun warrior who challenges the Burgundians and is killed by Hagen.
- [Dame Uté](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/ute.md): Mother of Gunther, Gernot, Giselher, and Kriemhilda.
- [Gotlinda](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/gotlinda.md): Wife of Rüdeger, hostess to the Burgundians at Bechelaren.
- [Helka](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/helka.md): First wife of Etzel, deceased before the main events.
- [Ludegast](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/ludegast.md): King of Denmark, defeated by Siegfried in battle.
- [Ludeger](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/ludeger.md): Saxon king defeated by Siegfried alongside Ludegast.
- [Gelfrat](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/gelfrat.md): Bavarian knight slain by Dankwart during the journey to Etzel's court.
- [Ortwein](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/ortwein.md): Burgundian knight, nephew of Hagen, fights in the final battle.
- [Count Eckewart](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/eckewart.md): Burgundian vassal who warns the heroes of danger at Etzel's court.
- [Alberich](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/alberich.md): Dwarf guardian of the Nibelung treasure, defeated by Siegfried.
- [Sieglind](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/sieglind.md): Mother of Siegfried, queen of Netherland.
- [Rumold](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/rumold.md): Burgundian steward who advises against the journey to Etzel's court.
- [Sindold](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/sindold.md): Burgundian knight, one of Gunther's household warriors.
- [Hunold](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/hunold.md): Burgundian knight, chamberlain of Gunther's court.
- [Gere](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/gere.md): Burgundian margrave, messenger and warrior.
- [Werbel](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/werbel.md): Hun minstrel sent as messenger to invite the Burgundians.
- [Schwemmel](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/schwemmel.md): Hun minstrel who accompanies Werbel on the embassy.
- [Pilgerin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/pilgerin.md): Bishop of Passau, relative of Kriemhilda, hosts the Burgundians.
- [Ortlieb](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/ortlieb.md): Young son of Etzel and Kriemhilda, slain in the hall.
- [Helfrich](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/helfrich.md): Warrior in Dietrich's retinue, slain in the final battle.
- [Irnfried](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/irnfried.md): Landgrave of Thuringia, fights on Etzel's side.
- [Haward](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/haward.md): Danish warrior who attacks the Burgundians at Etzel's court.
- [Nudung](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/nudung.md): A Hun warrior slain in the battle, mentioned by Kriemhilda.
- [Aldrian](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/aldrian.md): Father of Hagen and Dankwart, mentioned as a vassal.
- [Dankrat](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/dankrat.md): Father of Gunther, Gernot, Giselher, and Kriemhilda, deceased.
- [Amelrich](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/amelrich.md): A warrior of Dietrich's, slain in the final battle.
- [Hornboge](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/hornboge.md): A Hun warrior killed by Volker during the battle.

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