Swemmel

Family: Huns · Role: minstrel · First appears: Adventure XXII · How Etzel Made Kriemhild His Bride · Part 2

In Adventure XXII, Swemmel was one of Etzel’s minstrels, and the wedding feast of Etzel and Kriemhild brought him and Werbel rich gains. In Adventure XXIII, Etzel sent the two minstrels as envoys to invite Gunther and his men to the feast; Kriemhild secretly instructed them to bring her kin, including Hagen, and carry her messages.

In Adventure XXIV, Swemmel and Werbel delivered the invitation at Worms. At Bechelaren, Rudeger and Gotelind sent gifts with the envoys, and at Worms Gunther, Giselher, Gernot, Gere, Ortwin, and Uta also gave them gifts. Though Hagen repeatedly delayed their departure, they eventually accepted Gunther’s gifts and carried them back to Etzel’s land; Kriemhild was glad to hear that her brothers would come.