# Giselher — The Nibelungenlied character guide > Giselher in The Nibelungenlied by Anonymous. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** young Giselher, Giselher the young, Lord Giselher, Giselher the youthful **First appearance:** 0002-adventure-i-kriemhilda ## Snapshot The youngest Burgundian brother, whose youth and courtesy win him friends on both sides of a feud he never chose. ## Who they are Giselher is the youngest of the three Burgundian kings, gentler than Gunther and less hardened than Hagen, and he is the brother Kriemhild loved best. He grants Rüdeger and his men safe conduct out of the hall, an act of grace in a place where grace is nearly gone. His presence sharpens the tragedy: the feud consumes even the one prince who tried to keep it human. ## Relationships ### [Kriemhilda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/kriemhilda) _family_ Giselher is Kriemhilda's younger brother, who tries to mediate but ultimately sides with his brothers against her. ### [Hagen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/hagen) _friendship_ Giselher is a young Burgundian prince who follows Hagen and his brothers, loyal to the end. ### [Kriemhilda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/kriemhilda) _family_ Giselher is Kriemhilda's younger brother, who tries to mediate but ultimately sides with his brothers against her. ### [Kriemhilda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/kriemhilda) _family_ Giselher is Kriemhilda's younger brother, who tries to mediate but ultimately sides with his brothers against her. ### [Hagen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/hagen) _friendship_ Giselher is a young Burgundian prince who follows Hagen and his brothers, loyal to the end. ## In the story ### [Adventure I: Kriemhilda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-i-kriemhilda) The youngest Burgundian king, a gallant warrior and brother to Kriemhilda. ### [How Siegfried First Saw Kriemhilda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-v-how-siegfried-first-saw-kriemhilda) Busily welcomes guests; persuades Siegfried to stay at court. ### [How Siegfried Was Sent to Worms](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-ix-how-siegfried-was-sent-to-worms) Hastens to greet Siegfried; escorts him to the queen and Kriemhilda; acts as messenger between Siegfried and the ladies. ### [Adventure XI: How Siegfried Went Home with His Wife](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xi-how-siegfried-went-home-with-his-wife) Offers to share lands and castles with Siegfried and Kriemhilda. ### [Adventure XVI: How Siegfried Was Slain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xvi-how-siegfried-was-slain) Kriemhilda's brother who remains at home during the hunt. ### [Adventure XVIII: How Siegmund Went Back to His Own Land](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xviii-how-siegmund-went-back-to-his-own-land) The young brother who persuades Kriemhilda to stay, offers her protection, and provides a safe-conduct for Siegmund's departure. ### [How the Nibelung Hoard Was Brought to Worms](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xix-how-the-nibelung-hoard-was-brought-to-worms) Supports Kriemhilda, threatens Hagen for his ill deeds, and promises to be her guardian. ### [Adventure XX: How King Etzel Sent to Burgundy After Kriemhilda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xx-how-king-etzel-sent-to-burgundy-after-kriemhilda) Youngest brother of Kriemhilda, argues in favor of the marriage and rebukes Hagen for his opposition. ### [How Kriemhilda Went to the Huns](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxi-how-kriemhilda-went-to-the-huns) Takes leave of his sister Kriemhilda at Pfoering, promising to come to her aid if needed. ### [Adventure XXIII: How Kriemhilda Thought to Avenge Her Injury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxiii-how-kriemhilda-thought-to-avenge-her-injury) Kriemhilda's younger brother, whom she still loves and dreams of kissing; she asks him to come to Hunland. ### [Adventure XXIV: How Werbel and Schwemmel Did Their Errand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxiv-how-werbel-and-schwemmel-did-their-errand) Welcomes the envoys and escorts them to his mother Uté. ### [Adventure XXV: How the Lords All Went to the Huns](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxv-how-the-lords-all-went-to-the-huns) Curses Hagen for throwing the chaplain overboard. ### [Adventure XXVI: How Gelfrat Was Slain by Dankwart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxvi-how-gelfrat-was-slain-by-dankwart) Agrees with Hagen's counsel to let the horses go quietly to avoid appearing to flee. ### [Adventure XXVII: How They Came to Bechelaren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxvii-how-they-came-to-bechelaren) Betrothed to Rüdeger's daughter during the visit. ### [Adventure XXVIII: How the Burgundians Came to Etzel’s Stronghold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxviii-how-the-burgundians-came-to-etzel-s-stronghold) Kissed and greeted by Kriemhilda, his sister. ### [Adventure XXIX: How He Stood Not Up Before Her](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxix-how-he-stood-not-up-before-her) Walks to court with Rüdeger; welcomed by Etzel. ### [Adventure XXX: How They Kept Watch and Ward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxx-how-they-kept-watch-and-ward) Expresses foreboding about his sister Kriemhild's intentions. ### [Adventure XXXIII: How the Burgundians Fought with the Huns](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxxiii-how-the-burgundians-fought-with-the-huns) Joins the battle and later grants Rüdeger and his men safe passage. ### [Adventure XXXIV: How They Cast Forth the Dead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxxiv-how-they-cast-forth-the-dead) Orders the removal of the dead from the hall, showing leadership and foresight. ### [Adventure XXXV: How Iring Was Slain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxxv-how-iring-was-slain) Strikes Iring down with a blow that leaves him senseless, later fights in the hall. ### [Adventure XXXVI: How the Queen Bade That the Hall Be Set on Fire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxxvi-how-the-queen-bade-that-the-hall-be-set-on-fire) Appeals to his sister Kriemhilda for mercy, but is refused; remains loyal. ### [Adventure XXXVII: How the Margrave Rüdeger Was Slain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxxvii-how-the-margrave-r-deger-was-slain) Giselher, Rüdeger's son-in-law, mourns the margrave's death and calls him 'my lady's father.' He helps carry the body and laments the loss. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/giselher - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters