Sigurd

Also known as: Sigfrid · Family: Volsungs · Role: son of Sigmund; slayer of Fafnir · First appears: Elder Edda · The Lay of Hyndla

Sigurd, also called Sigfrid, was the son of Sigmund and Hiordis. In the First Lay of Sigurd Fafnicide, Gripir foretells his vengeance for his father and Eylimi, his victory over the sons of Hunding, and his slaying of Fafnir and Regin; these are prophecies, while the Second Lay tells how Regin fostered and instructed him and forged Gram, and how Hialprek gathered a fleet to help him avenge his father. Sigurd fought Lyngvi and his brothers, who fell, then slew Fafnir at Gnitaheid. After tasting Fafnir’s heart-blood he understood the speech of birds; he killed Regin and took Fafnir’s gold.

At Hindarfiall, Sigurd woke Sigrdrifa and exchanged oaths with her. He later met Brynhild, and they vowed to possess one another; she is described as his former wife. After Grimhild’s drink made him forget his love and vows, he married Gudrun. He gave her Fafnir’s heart to eat, and their son was Sigmund (son of Sigurd). Gripir foretells that Grimhild will beguile him into helping Gunnar seek Brynhild; the Fragments tell how Sigurd, disguised as Gunnar, rode through the fire and claimed Brynhild, with Gram between them during their three nights together. When Gudrun revealed who had ridden through the fire, Sigurd offered to marry Brynhild and put away Gudrun, but Brynhild refused.

Though Sigurd had exchanged oaths and sworn brotherhood with Gunnar and Hogni, Brynhild urged Gunnar to arrange his death, and they induced Guthorm to attack him. Sigurd killed Guthorm with Gram, but died of his wounds. Hogni told Gudrun that Gunnar and he had killed Sigurd; Gudrun grieved over his body. Svanhild and Aslaug are also named as his daughters, and the Lay of Hyndla calls Jormunrek his son-in-law. After Brynhild’s death, Sigurd was burned on his own funeral pile.