# Tale XIV: How Hettel Sent Tidings from Herwic’s Land explained — Gudrun

> Chapter companion for Gudrun by Anonymous.

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Power and Warfare

The chapter centers on military strategy: Hettel besieges Siegfried while Hartmut launches a seaborne invasion to seize Gudrun.

### Love and Marriage

Hartmut's desire to marry Gudrun drives the invasion; Gerlind plots to make Gudrun Hartmut's bride.

### Family and Kinship

Hettel sends news to his wife and daughter; Ludwig and Gerlind support their son Hartmut's ambitions.

### Honor and Reputation

Hettel's vow to never leave the castle until victory reflects the importance of honor in warfare.

## Character check-ins

### Hettel

Sends tidings to Hilda and Gudrun about the siege of Siegfried; swears not to leave the castle until victory.

### Hilda

Receives Hettel's message and begins to hope for Herwic's success.

### Gudrun

Hears the news from Hettel and prays for the safe return of Herwic and the Hegelings.

### Hartmut

Plans to invade Hegeling land and seize Gudrun as his bride; gathers forces with his father Ludwig.

### Ludwig

Supports Hartmut's plan, assembles twenty thousand fighters, and leads the invasion fleet.

### Gerlind

Urges the knights to attack Hettel, offers gold and silver, and plots to have Gudrun married to Hartmut.

### Wâ-te

Mentioned as keeping foes from the sea; Gerlind wishes him hanged.

### Fru-te

Mentioned alongside Wâ-te as a defender; Gerlind wishes him hanged.

## Key lines

> Hettel then sent tidings, to still their fears at home. To the fair and high-born ladies men with news did come, That unto the old and youthful, throughout the stormy fighting, Good luck had aye befallen; and now, with hope must they for them be waiting.

Hettel sent messengers to calm his family's worries, reporting that the battle had gone well and that they should remain hopeful.

_Hettel reassures Hilda and Gudrun of his success in the war against Siegfried._

> Then spake the old she-devil: 'Good knights, your hire behold! If you will now ride thither, my silver and my gold, That will I give you freely— but women shall not share it.'

Gerlind, called an old she-devil, offered the knights silver and gold to attack Hettel, insisting that women would not get any of the reward.

_Gerlind's malicious scheming and bribery to incite an attack on the Hegelings._

> Then spake the youthful Hartmut: 'Might ever this betide, That Hilda’s lovely daughter I here should see my bride, I would not take in barter for that a princedom fairest; Then might we here together pass our lives, each one to the other dearest.'

Young Hartmut declared that if he could have Gudrun as his bride, he would not trade that for the finest princedom, and they would live happily together.

_Hartmut's romantic longing for Gudrun motivates his invasion._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xiv-how-hettel-sent-tidings-from-herwic-s-land
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se/chapters