# Gudrun — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for Gudrun by Anonymous.

- [Names of Persons](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/names-of-persons.md): 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, esta
- [Names of Places](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/names-of-places.md): 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
- [Gudrun](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/gudrun.md): 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
- [Tale I: How Hagen Was Carried Off by the Griffin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-i-how-hagen-was-carried-off-by-the-griffin.md): 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.
- [Tale II: How Hagen Slew the Griffin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-ii-how-hagen-slew-the-griffin.md): 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 w
- [How Hagen Sailed to His Home](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-iii-how-hagen-sailed-to-his-home.md): 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 re
- [Tale IV: How Hagen Was Met by His Father and Mother](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-iv-how-hagen-was-met-by-his-father-and-mother.md): 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 
- [Tale V: How Wâ-te Was Sent to Ireland as a Suitor](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-v-how-w-te-was-sent-to-ireland-as-a-suitor.md): 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 
- [How Sweetly Horant Sang](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-vi-how-sweetly-horant-sang.md): 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 s
- [Tale VII: How the Maidens Came to See the Ship, and Were Carried to Hettel’s Kingdom](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-vii-how-the-maidens-came-to-see-the-ship-and-were-carried-to-hettel-s-kingdom.md): 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
- [Tale VIII: How Hagen Followed His Daughter](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-viii-how-hagen-followed-his-daughter.md): 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 t
- [How Gudrun Was Sought by Siegfried](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-ix-how-gudrun-was-sought-by-siegfried.md): 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'
- [Tale X: How Hartmut Sent to Woo Gudrun](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-x-how-hartmut-sent-to-woo-gudrun.md): 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 th
- [Tale XI: How Herwic Sent to Seek Gudrun and How Hartmut Came Himself](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xi-how-herwic-sent-to-seek-gudrun-and-how-hartmut-came-himself.md): 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. Ha
- [How Herwic Made War on Hettel, and How Gudrun Was Betrothed to Him](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xii-how-herwic-made-war-on-hettel-and-how-gudrun-was-betrothed-to-him.md): 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. S
- [How Siegfried Made War Against Herwic](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xiii-how-siegfried-made-war-against-herwic.md): 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 in
- [Tale XIV: How Hettel Sent Tidings from Herwic’s Land](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xiv-how-hettel-sent-tidings-from-herwic-s-land.md): 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 kingd
- [How Hartmut Carried Away Gudrun](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xv-how-hartmut-carried-away-gudrun.md): 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, cap
- [How Hilda Sent to Hettel and Herwic to Ask Their Help Against Hartmut](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xvi-how-hilda-sent-to-hettel-and-herwic-to-ask-their-help-against-hartmut.md): 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 
- [How Hettel Came to the Wulpensand in Search of His Daughter](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xvii-how-hettel-came-to-the-wulpensand-in-search-of-his-daughter.md): 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 clash
- [Tale XVIII: How Ludwig Slew Hettel, and Stole Away in the Night](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xviii-how-ludwig-slew-hettel-and-stole-away-in-the-night.md): 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
- [How the Hegelings Went Home to Their Own Land](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xix-how-the-hegelings-went-home-to-their-own-land.md): 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 again
- [Tale XX: How Hartmut Went Home to Normandy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xx-how-hartmut-went-home-to-normandy.md): 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 forc
- [How Gudrun Must Wash Clothes on the Beach](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xxi-how-gudrun-must-wash-clothes-on-the-beach.md): 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 y
- [How Hilda Made War to Bring Back Her Daughter](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xxii-how-hilda-made-war-to-bring-back-her-daughter.md): 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.
- [Tale XXIII: How Hilda’s Warriors Landed in Sight of Hartmut’s Kingdom](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xxiii-how-hilda-s-warriors-landed-in-sight-of-hartmut-s-kingdom.md): 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 p
- [How Their Coming Was Made Known to Gudrun](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xxiv-how-their-coming-was-made-known-to-gudrun.md): 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
- [How Herwic and Ortwin Found Gudrun](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xxv-how-herwic-and-ortwin-found-gudrun.md): 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 wit
- [How the Hegelings Landed Near Ludwig’s Castle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xxvi-how-the-hegelings-landed-near-ludwig-s-castle.md): 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
- [How Ludwig and Hartmut Met the Hegelings](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xxvii-how-ludwig-and-hartmut-met-the-hegelings.md): 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
- [Tale XXVIII: How Herwic Slew Ludwig](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xxviii-how-herwic-slew-ludwig.md): 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 a
- [How Hartmut Was Taken Prisoner](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xxix-how-hartmut-was-taken-prisoner.md): 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 ca
- [How Gudrun Was Brought Home to Hilda](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xxx-how-gudrun-was-brought-home-to-hilda.md): 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
- [How the Four Kings Were Wedded in Hilda's Land](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xxxi-how-the-four-kings-were-wedded-in-hilda-s-land.md): 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 knight
- [How They All Went to Their Homes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xxxii-how-they-all-went-to-their-homes.md): 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 lav

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