Brynhild

Brynhild daughter of Budli, sister of Atli, Bekkhild and Oddrun, belonged to the race of the Budlungs.

She was a wise Valkyrie, great queen and was skilled in seidr, the magic of foresight.

Vingskornir was the name of her horse and Hlymdalir the name of her home.

In the earlier southern legends Brynhild (or Brünhild) appears as a mortal queen, daughter of Budli, but in the nothern legends she was often clearly discribed as a supernatural being and Valkyrie.

As the Valkyrie Sigrdrifa, she helped king Agnar and slew king Hjalmgunnar, whom Odin promised victory. In punishement for that Odin pricked her with the so called sleep-thorn. He also said that she'll never win a battle, and she promised that she would "never marry a man who don't know the meaning of fear".

Later, Sigurd came to the shield-tower of her banishment, that stood on the flame-girt mountain Hindarfjoll in Skatalund, where she lied sleeping with all her war-weapons. After Sigurd woke her up, she told him the rune-chants and teached him how to speak the runes in all men's tongues.
(Poetic Edda: Sigrdrifumol)

*Sigrdrifa* (="Victory-Bringer") was just an epithet for Brynhild.

Sigurd and Brynhild swore an oath of fidelity at the home of Brynhild's brother-in-law, Heimir (sometimes called "foster-father of Brynhild"). Then he rode to Gudrun's home, the home of the Gjukungs, where Griemhild, Gudrun's mother, gave him a magical drink that made him forget all about Brynhild.

Gunnar wanted to marry the fair maid Brynhild and came to her home, but failled. Sigurd, the only one who could defeat the Valkyrie, helped his brother-in-law and won her for Gunnar.

When Brynhild went away to marry Gunnar, Heimir took Aslaug, daughter of Brynhild and Sigurd, in his charge.

It was said that Atli, Brynhild's brother compelled her to marry Gunnar against her will. In this version Sigurd and Gunnar attacked him, and he gave them Brynhild as payment, but telled her that Gunnar was Sigurd. (Or maybe, 'couse Atli wanted Sigurd's treasure.)

Later she recognized what the heroes made with her. Then she put Gunnar and Hogni up to kill Sigurd.
After Sigurd's dead, she fortold the future of Gunnar, Hogni, Atli, Gudrun, Swanhild and the others, killed her servents and finally killed herself with her sword.

After her death, Brynhild was on the way to Hel, there she met a giantess who don't wanted to let her pass. At the end of their discussion Brynhild sayed that she and Sigurd will live together (maybe in their next life).
Poetic Edda: Helreith Brynhildar - Brynhild's Hell-Ride

Another epthet of Brynhild was "Hild" ("Warrior").

Old Norse: Brynhildr
Meaning: Armoured Warrior

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