# Hildebrand — The Nibelungenlied character guide

> Hildebrand in The Nibelungenlied by Anonymous.

**Role:** supporting

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

**First appearance:** 0039-adventure-xxxviii-how-lord-dietrich-s-warriors-all-were-slain

## Snapshot

Dietrich's ancient master-at-arms, a veteran whose counsel and sword-arm carry the weight of a lifetime spent in exile and war.

## Who they are

Hildebrand serves Dietrich of Bern as mentor, tactician, and the steady hand that tempers younger warriors like his nephew Wolfhart. Seasoned by long years of exile and court intrigue, he reads men and motives with the same cool eye he brings to battle, and his loyalty to Dietrich is absolute. In the epic's later movements his experience becomes the thin line between discipline and catastrophe for the Gothic retinue.

## In the story

### [Adventure XXXVIII: How Lord Dietrich’s Warriors All Were Slain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxxviii-how-lord-dietrich-s-warriors-all-were-slain)

The aged Hildebrand is sent by Dietrich to negotiate, but is wounded by Hagen and flees, reporting the dire news to his lord.

### [Adventure XXXIX: How Gunther and Hagen and Kriemhilda Were Slain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxxix-how-gunther-and-hagen-and-kriemhilda-were-slain)

Assists Dietrich, urges peace, and ultimately kills Kriemhilda in vengeance for Hagen's murder.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/hildebrand
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters