Sigurd

Also known as: Fafnir's-bane / Sigurd Fafnir's-bane / Sigurd the Hun King / Southlander Sigurd · Family: Volsungs · Role: hero · First appears: Chapter XIII · Of the Birth and Waxing of Sigurd Fafnir's-bane

In Chapter XIII, Hjordis gave birth to Sigurd, who was named and brought up in Hjalprek’s house. Regin fostered and taught him, while Hjalprek let him choose a horse; at Busil-tarn, Odin guided him to choose Grani. Regin urged him to seek Fafnir’s hoard, and in Chapters XIV–XV forged Gram from the shards Sigurd received from his mother. Before keeping his promise to meet Fafnir, Sigurd set out to avenge his father, Sigmund. In Chapter XVII, with counsel from Hnikar, he defeated the sons of Hunding, including Lyngi and Hjorward, then returned home with victory and wealth.

In Chapters XVIII–XIX, Sigurd slew Fafnir, learned to understand birds after tasting the dragon’s blood, and killed Regin when he learned Regin meant to beguile him; he took the hoard and loaded it on Grani. In Chapters XX–XXI, Brynhild gave him the drink of love, taught him runes, and plighted troth with him. They swore their oath anew in Chapter XXIV, but never wed. After Sigurd came to Giuki’s hall in Chapter XXVI, Grimhild’s drink made him forget Brynhild; he married Gudrun, swore brotherhood with Gunnar and Hogni, and had a son, Sigmund (son of Sigurd). In Chapter XXVII, Sigurd rode through Brynhild’s fire in Gunnar’s shape to win her for Gunnar, and Brynhild later said that Aslaug was her daughter by Sigurd.

In Chapters XXVIII–XXIX, Gudrun revealed the truth of Sigurd’s ride through the fire and showed Brynhild the ring he had taken from her. Sigurd offered to wed Brynhild and put away Gudrun, but Brynhild refused him. In Chapter XXX, Brynhild demanded Sigurd’s death, Gunnar agreed to have Guttorm do the deed, and Hogni spoke against the killing. Guttorm stabbed Sigurd as he slept; Sigurd cast Gram after him and killed him, then died with Gudrun asleep on his bosom. Chapter XXXII names Swanhild as another daughter of Gudrun and Sigurd. The Short Lay of Sigurd tells how Sigurd swore brotherhood with Giuki’s sons, married Gudrun, and was slain by Guttorm; it also tells of his killing Guttorm with Gram. The First Lay of Gudrun and the later Edda lays recount the grief and betrayal that followed his death.