# Volker — The Nibelungenlied character guide

> Volker in The Nibelungenlied by Anonymous.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** the fiddler Volker, gallant Volker, Volker the quick

**First appearance:** 0026-adventure-xxv-how-the-lords-all-went-to-the-huns

## Snapshot

Burgundian minstrel and warrior, Hagen's sworn companion, whose fiddle-bow becomes a weapon the Huns will not soon forget.

## Who they are

Volker is a knight who carries a fiddle as readily as a sword, and his friendship with Hagen makes him one of the most feared men in the hall. When the slaughter begins he springs from the table and plays a music of strokes, and Etzel himself calls him a devil and a savage boar. His double nature—artist and killer—embodies the poem's blend of courtliness and brutality.

## In the story

### [Adventure IV: How Siegfried Fought the Saxons](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-iv-how-siegfried-fought-the-saxons)

Appointed to lead the van and fights bravely in the battle.

### [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)

Joins the company with thirty liegemen and prevents the envoys from seeing Brunhilda.

### [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)

Offers to guide the company through the land, carries a red pennon as signal, and helps provide for the people.

### [Adventure XXVII: How They Came to Bechelaren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxvii-how-they-came-to-bechelaren)

Greeted by Rüdeger, kissed by the margrave's daughter, and plays his fiddle for Gotlinda.

### [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)

Comments on the inevitability of fate as the Burgundians ride to court.

### [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)

The fiddler-warrior sits beside Hagen; his fierce gaze and reputation deter the Huns from attacking; he advises Hagen and later leads the group to court.

### [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)

The gallant minstrel keeps watch with Hagen, plays soothing music, and boldly challenges Kriemhild's men.

### [Adventure XXXI: How They Went to Church](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxxi-how-they-went-to-church)

Stands with Hagen at the Minster, refusing to yield space to Kriemhilda's retinue, and helps maintain the Burgundians' defiant stance.

### [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)

Fights fiercely with his fiddle-bow, killing many Huns and earning Etzel's dread.

### [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)

Stands with Hagen, taunts the Huns as cowards, kills a margrave with a lance, and mocks the Huns for their reluctance to attack.

### [Adventure XXXV: How Iring Was Slain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nibelungenlied_se/chapters/adventure-xxxv-how-iring-was-slain)

Fiddler who fights Iring, kills Irnfried, and stands guard after the battle.

### [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)

Keeps watch with Hagen and taunts 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)

Volker defends Rüdeger's honor against Kriemhilda's accusations, stating that Rüdeger served her to the end.

### [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)

Volker taunts Wolfhart and the Amelungs, provoking them with sharp words and threatening violence.

## Links

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