Gudrun · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for Gudrun by Anonymous.
Chapter 1
Names of Persons
This chapter lists the principal characters of the epic, providing their names, familial relationships, and roles in the narrative. It introduces the royal lineages of Ireland, the Hegelings, Normandy, and Moorland, establishing the key figures who will drive the story of Gudrun.
Chapter 2
Names of Places
This chapter provides a glossary of place names mentioned in the epic, identifying their geographical or legendary associations, such as Hegeling (Hettel's people in Holland), Moorland (Siegfried's kingdom), and Normandy (Hartmut's realm).
Chapter 3
Gudrun
This chapter introduces Gudrun, the daughter of King Hettel and Queen Hilda, and follows her early life, including the rejection of Siegfried's suit, the wooing by Hartmut and Herwic, and the eventual conflict that leads to her being carried away by Hartmut. It details her captivity, forced labor, and the eventual rescue by Herwic and Ortwin, culminating in her marriage to Herwic.
Chapter 4
Tale I: How Hagen Was Carried Off by the Griffin
Sigeband, king of Ireland, marries a princess of Norway and they have a son, Hagen. During a court festival, seven-year-old Hagen is carried off by a griffin while outside the castle with his attendants.
Chapter 5
Tale II: How Hagen Slew the Griffin
Hagen, carried off by a griffin as a child, falls from its grasp and hides in a cave where he meets three kidnapped princesses. They raise him with wild food until he grows strong. One day, he finds washed-up armor and weapons, slays the griffins, and later persuades a passing ship's earl to rescue them all from the rocky island.
Chapter 6
How Hagen Sailed to His Home
Hagen and the maidens are rescued by a ship from Garadie. The earl learns Hagen is the son of his enemy Sigeband and threatens to hold him hostage. Hagen seizes thirty sailors and throws them into the sea, forcing the rest to sail to Ireland. Upon arrival, he sends messengers to his father Sigeband and mother Ute, proving his identity with a golden cross. The queen brings clothing for the maidens, and the family is reunited.
Chapter 7
Tale IV: How Hagen Was Met by His Father and Mother
Hagen is reunited with his parents, King Sigeband and Queen Ute, and reconciles his father with the men who brought him home. He receives the government of the kingdom, marries Hilda from India, and they have a daughter also named Hilda. Hagen becomes a renowned and feared warrior, known as 'the Devil of kings,' and rejects all suitors for his daughter's hand.
Chapter 8
Tale V: How Wâ-te Was Sent to Ireland as a Suitor
King Hettel of the Hegelings, seeking a worthy wife, is advised by Morunc to woo Hilda, daughter of King Hagen of Ireland. Hettel sends his vassals Wâ-te, Horant, and Fru-te as suitors, who travel disguised as merchants with hidden warriors. They arrive in Ireland, present rich gifts to Hagen, and are welcomed at court, where Hilda and her mother entertain them. Wâ-te's stern demeanor amuses the ladies, while Horant wins their favor. Hagen offers to teach Wâ-te sword-play, but Wâ-te scoffs at the local fighting style.
Chapter 9
How Sweetly Horant Sang
Horant, a Danish knight, uses his extraordinary singing to charm the court of King Hagen in Ireland. His songs captivate everyone, including the young princess Hilda, who becomes favorably disposed toward King Hettel's suit. With the help of a chamberlain, Horant and Morunc secretly meet Hilda in her bower, where she pledges her love to Hettel. They then plan to lure Hilda and her parents to their ship, setting the stage for her eventual departure.
Chapter 10
Tale VII: How the Maidens Came to See the Ship, and Were Carried to Hettel’s Kingdom
Hilda and her maidens are lured aboard a ship under the pretense of viewing wares, then abducted by Wâ-te and his men. Hagen discovers the treachery too late and must build new ships to pursue. The Hegelings send word to Hettel, who prepares a grand welcome. Upon arrival, Hettel greets Hilda and her maidens, including Hildeburg, but the threat of Hagen's pursuit looms.
Chapter 11
Tale VIII: How Hagen Followed His Daughter
Hagen and his warriors sail to the Hegeling land to rescue his daughter Hilda, leading to a fierce battle on the seashore. At Hilda's entreaty, peace is made, and Hagen consents to her marriage with Hettel. Wâ-te heals the wounded, and Hagen returns home, leaving Hilda and her maidens in Hettel's kingdom.
Chapter 12
How Gudrun Was Sought by Siegfried
After Hettel and Hilda have a son, Ortwin, and a daughter, Gudrun, the maiden grows surpassingly fair. Siegfried, king of Moorland, comes to woo her but is rejected by Hettel. Enraged, Siegfried threatens to burn Hettel's land and departs with his followers, nursing a lasting grudge.
Chapter 13
Tale X: How Hartmut Sent to Woo Gudrun
Hartmut, prince of Normandy, learns of Gudrun's beauty and resolves to woo her. Despite his father Ludwig's warnings about the dangers and the proud nature of Gudrun's kin, Hartmut insists. His mother Gerlind supports the plan, and sixty messengers are sent with letters and treasure to King Hettel's court. When the messengers arrive, they are initially well received, but upon revealing their errand, Hettel and Hilda angrily reject the suit, citing historical grievances and vassalage ties. The messengers return with the refusal, but Hartmut remains determined to win Gudrun.
Chapter 14
Tale XI: How Herwic Sent to Seek Gudrun and How Hartmut Came Himself
Herwic, king of Sealand, sends suitors for Gudrun's hand but is rejected by her father Hettel. Hartmut of Normandy then comes in person to woo Gudrun, who receives him kindly but warns him to leave for his own safety. Hartmut returns to Normandy, resolved to win her by force, spurred on by his mother Gerlind.
Chapter 15
How Herwic Made War on Hettel, and How Gudrun Was Betrothed to Him
Herwic, forbidden by Hettel to woo Gudrun, invades Hettel's kingdom with a large force. After a fierce battle, Hettel and Herwic recognize each other's valor, and Gudrun, watching from the castle, intercedes for peace. She and Herwic exchange vows of love, and with Hettel's consent, they are betrothed. However, Queen Hilda insists that the marriage be delayed for a year, causing future sorrow.
Chapter 16
How Siegfried Made War Against Herwic
Siegfried, king of Moorland, invades Herwic's land in Sealand with a massive army. Herwic, overwhelmed, sends to Hettel for aid. Gudrun pleads with her father Hettel to help Herwic, and Hettel gathers a vast coalition including Wâ-te, Horant, Morunc, and Ortwin. After twelve days of fierce fighting, Siegfried is driven into a castle and besieged by Hettel's forces.
Chapter 17
Tale XIV: How Hettel Sent Tidings from Herwic’s Land
Hettel sends messengers to Queen Hilda and Gudrun to report his success in besieging Siegfried in Sealand. Meanwhile, Hartmut and his father Ludwig, urged on by Gerlind, seize the opportunity to invade the Hegeling kingdom and carry off Gudrun. They gather a large fleet and army, sail to the Hegeling coast, and prepare to attack.
Chapter 18
How Hartmut Carried Away Gudrun
Hartmut sends messengers to Queen Hilda and Gudrun, demanding Gudrun's hand in marriage. Gudrun refuses, citing her betrothal to Herwic. Hartmut and his father Ludwig then launch a military assault on Matelan castle, capturing Gudrun and her handmaidens. They plunder the castle, burn the town, and sail away with their captives, leaving Hilda to send word to King Hettel.
Chapter 19
How Hilda Sent to Hettel and Herwic to Ask Their Help Against Hartmut
Queen Hilda sends messengers to King Hettel and Herwic, who are besieging Moorland, to report that Hartmut has raided their lands, killed many knights, and carried off Gudrun and her maidens. Hettel and Herwic, grieving the news, make peace with Siegfried of Moorland, release him on condition he joins their war against Hartmut. Wâ-te advises seizing the ships of a pilgrim band to pursue the Normans. They take the ships and set sail, seeking revenge.
Chapter 20
How Hettel Came to the Wulpensand in Search of His Daughter
King Ludwig and Hartmut, having abducted Gudrun, stop at the island of Wulpensand to rest. Hettel and Herwic pursue them, and a fierce battle erupts between the Hegelings and the Normans. Wâ-te fights Ludwig, Irold clashes with Hartmut, and Herwic wades ashore. The fighting lasts all day with heavy losses on both sides, and Hettel presses forward to meet Ludwig as night falls.
Chapter 21
Tale XVIII: How Ludwig Slew Hettel, and Stole Away in the Night
Ludwig, king of the Normans, slays Hettel in battle on the Wulpensand. Under cover of night, Ludwig and his army stealthily depart with the maidens, including Gudrun. The Hegelings discover the loss, bury their dead, and establish a hospital and cloister in their memory.
Chapter 22
How the Hegelings Went Home to Their Own Land
The Hegelings return home and report to Queen Hilda the death of King Hettel and the failure of their campaign. Hilda mourns deeply, but Wâ-te counsels patience until the young knights come of age to wage a new war against the Normans. Herwic arrives and vows vengeance for Gudrun's abduction. Plans are made to build ships and gather warriors for a future invasion. Hilda also orders restitution to pilgrims whose ships were taken, and founds a church and cloister at the Wulpensand in memory of the fallen.
Chapter 23
Tale XX: How Hartmut Went Home to Normandy
Hartmut returns to Normandy with Gudrun and her maidens. Gudrun refuses to marry Hartmut, and King Ludwig throws her into the sea in anger, but Hartmut rescues her. She is placed under the harsh care of Gerlind, who forces her to perform menial tasks such as sweeping and tending the fire for seven years. Ortrun, Hartmut's sister, shows kindness to Gudrun. Hartmut later attempts to woo Gudrun again, but she remains steadfast in her refusal.
Chapter 24
How Gudrun Must Wash Clothes on the Beach
Gudrun, still refusing to marry Hartmut, is forced by Gerlind to wash clothes on the beach. Her loyal maiden Hildeburg obtains permission to share her labor, and they endure this harsh toil together for five and a half years.
Chapter 25
How Hilda Made War to Bring Back Her Daughter
Queen Hilda, grieving the loss of her husband Hettel and the abduction of her daughter Gudrun, summons her vassals and allies—including Herwic, Horant, Morunc, and Wâ-te—to mount a massive expedition against the Normans. After gathering ships and warriors, the fleet sets sail, faces dangers such as the magnetic rocks at Givers, and ultimately continues toward Normandy to rescue Gudrun.
Chapter 26
Tale XXIII: How Hilda’s Warriors Landed in Sight of Hartmut’s Kingdom
Herwic and Ortwin, along with the Hegeling warriors, land near Hartmut's kingdom. After resting and preparing their gear, Ortwin and Herwic volunteer to go ahead as scouts to find Gudrun, despite Wâ-te's warnings. They pledge their knights to rescue the captive maidens, vowing not to abandon them until the strife is settled.
Chapter 27
How Their Coming Was Made Known to Gudrun
While washing on the seashore, Gudrun and Hildeburg are visited by a swan that is actually a God-sent angel. The swan brings news that Queen Hilda has sent an army for their rescue, and that Herwic, Ortwin, Morunc, Irold, Horant, Wâ-te, and Fru-te are all alive and sailing to free them. The angel promises that two knights will arrive the next morning. After the visitation, the maidens return to the castle where Gerlind scolds them harshly, forces them to wash in the snow without shoes, and threatens them with worse treatment if the clothes are not clean by Palm Sunday.
Chapter 28
How Herwic and Ortwin Found Gudrun
Herwic and Ortwin, sailing in a boat, discover Gudrun and Hildeburg washing clothes on the shore. After recognizing each other through tokens and rings, the knights decide it would be dishonorable to take the maidens without a fight and return to gather their army. Gudrun, now hopeful of rescue, pretends to agree to Hartmut's suit to regain favor with Gerlind and Hartmut, while secretly preparing for the Hegelings' arrival.
Chapter 29
How the Hegelings Landed Near Ludwig’s Castle
Herwic and Ortwin return to the Hegeling army and report that they have seen Gudrun and Hildeburg washing clothes on the seashore. The Hegelings land near Ludwig's castle under cover of night, following Wâ-te's strategic plan. At dawn, the Norman guards and Gerlind discover the besieging army, and Ludwig and Hartmut are roused to prepare for battle.
Chapter 30
How Ludwig and Hartmut Met the Hegelings
Hartmut identifies the approaching Hegeling banners for his father Ludwig, including those of Wâ-te, Horant, Fru-te, Morunc, Ortwin, Herwic, and Irold. Despite Gerlind's counsel to await a siege, Hartmut and Ludwig sally forth to battle. In the ensuing fight, Ludwig overthrows Herwic, Hartmut wounds Ortwin and Horant, and the Hegelings press the attack under Wâ-te's leadership.
Chapter 31
Tale XXVIII: How Herwic Slew Ludwig
Herwic, ashamed that Gudrun saw him thrown by Ludwig, rallies his men and slays the old king. Gerlind bribes a knave to murder Gudrun, but Hartmut intervenes and saves her. Hartmut is captured by Wâ-te despite Herwic's attempt to spare him at Gudrun's request.
Chapter 32
How Hartmut Was Taken Prisoner
The Hegelings storm and capture the Norman castle, slaughtering many and taking Hartmut and Ortrun captive. Gerlind seeks Gudrun's protection but is recognized and killed by Wâ-te. The Hegelings plunder the land, burn castles, and prepare to return home with their prisoners, including Hartmut and Ortrun, while Horant and Morunc remain to hold the kingdom.
Chapter 33
How Gudrun Was Brought Home to Hilda
The Hegeling army returns home with Gudrun, her maidens, and Norman captives. Queen Hilda welcomes them, initially not recognizing her daughter. At Gudrun's request, Hilda reconciles with Hartmut and Ortrun. Ortwin takes Ortrun as his bride, Hartmut is freed and agrees to wed Hildeburg, and Herwic's sister is betrothed to Siegfried. A grand celebration ensues with feasting, gift-giving, and the crowning of Gudrun.
Chapter 34
How the Four Kings Were Wedded in Hilda's Land
A grand wedding festival is held in Hilda's kingdom, where the four kings—Herwic, Ortwin, Hartmut, and Siegfried—vie in generous giving. Hartmut marries Hildeburg and departs for Normandy. The celebrations include knightings, tournaments, and lavish gifts of gold, clothing, and horses. Gudrun shows kindness to Hildeburg, and peace is restored as Hartmut is forgiven. The guests depart joyfully, with Irold leading the Norman party home.
Chapter 35
How They All Went to Their Homes
After the resolution of conflicts, Siegfried returns to Moorland with his bride (Herwic's sister), and Herwic takes Gudrun home. Gudrun bids farewell to her mother Hilda, brother Ortwin, and Ortrun. Queen Hilda gives lavish parting gifts. Gudrun promises to visit yearly. Ortrun thanks Gudrun for sparing Hartmut and thanks Hilda for allowing her to marry Ortwin. Ortwin and Herwic swear eternal friendship.
