# Kriemhilda — The Nibelungenlied character guide > Kriemhilda in The Nibelungenlied by Anonymous. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Lady Kriemhild, Dame Kriemhild, Queen Kriemhilda, fair Kriemhilda, wicked Kriemhild **First appearance:** 0002-adventure-i-kriemhilda ## Snapshot Gunther's sister, whose dream of a falcon foretells a grief so vast it will eventually consume two kingdoms and everyone she has ever loved. ## Who they are Kriemhilda begins as the sheltered jewel of the Burgundian court, warned by her mother that dreams of falcons mean sorrow and choosing to marry Siegfried anyway. When she finds his body laid deliberately at her chamber door, her grief curdles into something the poem watches with dread — she knows Hagen's hand before anyone names it, and she never forgets. Her refusal to let Siegmund's men avenge the murder on the spot, because she fears they will be slaughtered, shows a woman already calculating: she will need patience, and she will need allies, and she will need to outlive the men who did this. ## Relationships ### [Siegfried](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/siegfried) _romantic_ Kriemhilda deeply loves Siegfried as her husband, and his murder drives her to obsessive vengeance. ### [Hagen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/hagen) _rivalry_ Hagen is Kriemhilda's mortal enemy, having murdered Siegfried and later opposing her revenge at Etzel's court. ### [Etzel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/etzel) _romantic_ Etzel marries Kriemhilda, providing her with power and resources to pursue her revenge, though he is unaware of her true motives. ### [Giselher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/giselher) _family_ Giselher is Kriemhilda's younger brother, who tries to mediate but ultimately sides with his brothers against her. ### [Brunhilda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/brunhilda) _rivalry_ Brunhilda and Kriemhilda become bitter rivals over status and the deception surrounding Siegfried's role in Brunhilda's wooing. ### [Siegfried](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/siegfried) _romantic_ Kriemhilda deeply loves Siegfried as her husband, and his murder drives her to obsessive vengeance. ### [Hagen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/hagen) _rivalry_ Hagen is Kriemhilda's mortal enemy, having murdered Siegfried and later opposing her revenge at Etzel's court. ### [Hagen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/hagen) _rivalry_ Hagen is Kriemhilda's mortal enemy, having murdered Siegfried and later opposing her revenge at Etzel's court. ### [Siegfried](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/siegfried) _romantic_ Kriemhilda deeply loves Siegfried as her husband, and his murder drives her to obsessive vengeance. ### [Etzel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/etzel) _romantic_ Etzel marries Kriemhilda, providing her with power and resources to pursue her revenge, though he is unaware of her true motives. ### [Etzel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/etzel) _romantic_ Etzel marries Kriemhilda, providing her with power and resources to pursue her revenge, though he is unaware of her true motives. ### [Giselher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/giselher) _family_ Giselher is Kriemhilda's younger brother, who tries to mediate but ultimately sides with his brothers against her. ## In the story ### [The Nibelungenlied](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/the-nibelungenlied) Siegfried's wife, whose quest for vengeance drives much of the later narrative. ### [Adventure I: Kriemhilda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-iii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-v-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-vi-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-ix-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xii-how-gunther-bade-siegfried-to-the-festival) Joyfully receives the invitation and prepares to travel to Worms. ### [How They Journeyed to the Festival](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xiii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xix-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxi-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxxvii-how-the-margrave-r-deger-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/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. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/kriemhilda - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters