# Siegmund — The Nibelungenlied character guide

> Siegmund in The Nibelungenlied by Anonymous.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** King Siegmund, noble Siegmund, Lord Siegmund, Sir Siegmund

**First appearance:** 0003-adventure-ii-siegfried

## Snapshot

The aging king of Netherland who dreads his son's Burgundian wooing yet arms him for it, sensing Hagen's pride will bring grief.

## Who they are

Siegmund rules the Netherlandish court where Siegfried was raised, a father torn between pride in his heir and clear-eyed fear of the Rhineland powers. When Siegfried declares he will wed Kriemhild or no one, Siegmund warns that Gunther's retainers, especially Hagen, hide overweening pride beneath courtly manners, and he knows by force no bride is ever truly won. He yields anyway, offering friends and warriors, and his reluctant blessing sets the hero on the road that will define the epic's first half.

## Relationships

### [Siegfried](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/siegfried)

_family_

Siegmund is Siegfried's father, proud of his son and devastated by his murder.

### [Siegfried](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/siegfried)

_family_

Siegmund is Siegfried's father, proud of his son and devastated by his murder.

### [Siegfried](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/characters/siegfried)

_family_

Siegmund is Siegfried's father, proud of his son and devastated by his murder.

## In the story

### [Adventure II: Siegfried](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-ii-siegfried)

King of Netherland and father of Siegfried, who hosts a lavish banquet and tournament for his son's knighting.

### [How Siegfried Came to Worms](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-iii-how-siegfried-came-to-worms)

Siegfried's father, initially fearful of Gunther's court, but supports his son's journey.

### [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)

Receives news of Siegfried's return; abdicates his crown in favor of Siegfried.

### [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)

Decides to accompany Siegfried to the festival with a hundred swordsmen.

### [How They Journeyed to the Festival](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xiii-how-they-journeyed-to-the-festival)

Rides with Siegfried and Kriemhilda to Worms; expresses his joy at meeting Gunther.

### [Adventure XV: How Siegfried Was Betrayed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xv-how-siegfried-was-betrayed)

Siegfried's father; asked to stay behind during the false campaign.

### [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)

Grieves for his son and prepares to avenge him, but is restrained by Kriemhilda.

### [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)

Siegfried's father, who tries to bring Kriemhilda and her son back to his land, but ultimately departs sorrowfully without her.

## Links

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