Kriemhilda

Siegfried

Kriemhilda deeply loves Siegfried as her husband, and his murder drives her to obsessive vengeance.

Hagen

Hagen is Kriemhilda's mortal enemy, having murdered Siegfried and later opposing her revenge at Etzel's court.

Etzel

Etzel marries Kriemhilda, providing her with power and resources to pursue her revenge, though he is unaware of her true motives.

Giselher

Giselher is Kriemhilda's younger brother, who tries to mediate but ultimately sides with his brothers against her.

Brunhilda

Brunhilda and Kriemhilda become bitter rivals over status and the deception surrounding Siegfried's role in Brunhilda's wooing.

Siegfried

Kriemhilda deeply loves Siegfried as her husband, and his murder drives her to obsessive vengeance.

Hagen

Hagen is Kriemhilda's mortal enemy, having murdered Siegfried and later opposing her revenge at Etzel's court.

Hagen

Hagen is Kriemhilda's mortal enemy, having murdered Siegfried and later opposing her revenge at Etzel's court.

Siegfried

Kriemhilda deeply loves Siegfried as her husband, and his murder drives her to obsessive vengeance.

Etzel

Etzel marries Kriemhilda, providing her with power and resources to pursue her revenge, though he is unaware of her true motives.

Etzel

Etzel marries Kriemhilda, providing her with power and resources to pursue her revenge, though he is unaware of her true motives.

Giselher

Giselher is Kriemhilda's younger brother, who tries to mediate but ultimately sides with his brothers against her.

The Nibelungenlied

Siegfried's wife, whose quest for vengeance drives much of the later narrative.

Adventure I: Kriemhilda

The noble maiden of Burgundy, whose beauty and virtue are unmatched. She dreams of a falcon (her future husband) being killed, and initially swears to avoid love to escape sorrow.

How Siegfried Came to Worms

The maiden of surpassing beauty and lofty mind, desired by Siegfried, though she feels no man can move her heart.

Adventure IV: How Siegfried Fought the Saxons

Secretly receives a messenger to learn of the battle's outcome, showing her hidden concern for Siegfried.

How Siegfried First Saw Kriemhilda

Appears before the guests at the festival; thanks Siegfried for his valor and accepts his service.

How Gunther Went to Iceland After Brunhilda

Prepares fine clothing for the expedition, showing her loyalty and affection toward Siegfried.

How Siegfried Was Sent to Worms

Anxiously awaits news of her brother; weeps with relief upon hearing Siegfried's tidings; rewards him with buckles and shows her favor.

Adventure X: How Brunhilda Was Received at Worms

Betrothed and married to Siegfried; warmly greets Brunhilda upon arrival.

Adventure XI: How Siegfried Went Home with His Wife

Wishes to take Burgundian retainers; departs with a retinue; is welcomed by Siegmund and Sieglind; becomes queen and bears a son.

How Gunther Bade Siegfried to the Festival

Joyfully receives the invitation and prepares to travel to Worms.

How They Journeyed to the Festival

Travels with Siegfried to Worms, leaving her baby son behind; greeted warmly by Brunhilda and the court.

Adventure XIV: How the Queens Railed at One Another

Engages in a public quarrel with Brunhilda over the status of their husbands, asserting Siegfried's superiority and accusing Brunhilda of being a wanton.

Adventure XV: How Siegfried Was Betrayed

Betrays Siegfried's secret in a misguided attempt to protect him; sews a cross on his garment.

Adventure XVI: How Siegfried Was Slain

Siegfried's wife who has a prophetic dream and begs him not to go hunting.

Adventure XVII: How Kriemhilda Mourn'd for Her Husband, and How He Was Buried

Discovers Siegfried's body, mourns him, and prevents immediate revenge.

Adventure XVIII: How Siegmund Went Back to His Own Land

Grieving Siegfried's murder, she refuses to leave Worms despite Siegmund's offer, choosing to stay with her family.

How the Nibelung Hoard Was Brought to Worms

Mourns Siegfried for years, eventually reconciles with Gunther but not Hagen, receives the Nibelung hoard, and is later robbed of it by Hagen.

Adventure XX: How King Etzel Sent to Burgundy After Kriemhilda

The widowed queen of Siegfried, initially resistant to remarrying but eventually agrees to meet Rüdeger.

How Kriemhilda Went to the Huns

The queen journeys to the Huns, receiving honors and gifts along the way, and is welcomed by Rüdeger's family.

Adventure XXII: How Etzel Espoused Kriemhilda

The bride of King Etzel, she travels to meet him and is married in Vienna, giving gifts and remembering Siegfried.

Adventure XXIII: How Kriemhilda Thought to Avenge Her Injury

Now Queen of the Huns, she secretly plots revenge against Hagen and Gunther for Siegfried's murder, using her influence over Etzel to lure her kinsmen to Hunland.

Adventure XXVIII: How the Burgundians Came to Etzel’s Stronghold

Greets the Burgundians with feigned courtesy, demands the Nibelung treasure from Hagen, and attempts to have their weapons taken.

Adventure XXIX: How He Stood Not Up Before Her

Spies Hagen from a window, weeps, and incites her warriors to avenge Siegfried; confronts Hagen directly but fails to provoke an attack.

Adventure XXX: How They Kept Watch and Ward

Plots against the guests and is informed of her men's failed attack.

Adventure XXXI: How They Went to Church

Plots revenge against the Burgundians, persuades Bloedel to attack by promising land and a bride, and brings her son Ortlieb to the table to provoke conflict.

Adventure XXXII: How Bloedelin Was Slain

The queen who orchestrated the attack against the Burgundians as revenge for Siegfried's murder.

Adventure XXXIV: How They Cast Forth the Dead

Warns Etzel against confronting Hagen, is enraged by Hagen's taunt about Siegfried, and offers a reward for Hagen's death.

Adventure XXXV: How Iring Was Slain

Thanks Iring for wounding Hagen, weeps over his body, and laments his death.

Adventure XXXVI: How the Queen Bade That the Hall Be Set on Fire

Refuses mercy, orders the hall set on fire, and offers gold to incite the Huns.

Adventure XXXVII: How the Margrave Rüdeger Was Slain

Queen Kriemhilda reminds Rüdeger of his oath and pleads with him to avenge her. She later accuses him of seeking peace, but mourns him when he is slain.

Adventure XXXIX: How Gunther and Hagen and Kriemhilda Were Slain

Takes revenge on Gunther and Hagen, beheading her brother and killing Hagen with Siegfried's sword, only to be slain by Hildebrand.