Gudrun · Chapter
How Hartmut Carried Away Gudrun explained
Hartmut sends messengers to Queen Hilda and Gudrun, demanding Gudrun's hand in marriage.
What happens
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.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Marriage
Gudrun's steadfast refusal of Hartmut in favor of her betrothed Herwic highlights the theme of marital fidelity and personal choice.
Power and Warfare
Hartmut's threat and subsequent military campaign to seize Gudrun by force exemplify the use of power and warfare to achieve personal and political ends.
Suffering and Endurance
The women, including Gudrun and Hildeburg, are carried off against their will, enduring loss and hardship as captives.
Characters to notice
- Hartmut
Sends messengers to woo Gudrun, threatens force, and leads the attack that captures her.
- Gudrun
Refuses Hartmut's suit, reaffirms her betrothal to Herwic, and is carried away by Hartmut.
- Hilda
Receives Hartmut's messengers, tries to manage the defense, and later sends word to Hettel of the attack.
- Ludwig
Joins Hartmut in the assault on Matelan castle and helps carry away Gudrun.
- Hettel
Absent during the attack, away fighting in the Waalisch marches; Hilda sends him news of the disaster.
- Herwic
Referenced as Gudrun's betrothed, but does not appear in the chapter.
- Hildeburg
Mentioned as one of the maidens carried off by Hartmut.
Key passages
“If she her love would give him, as he had asked before— Ofttimes his heart was heavy for the love to her he bore— That he would ever serve her so long as he was living, And many lands wide-reaching, held of his father, would to her be giving.”
Hartmut promises to serve Gudrun forever and give her many lands if she accepts his love.
Hartmut's initial offer of marriage is generous, but conditional on her acceptance.
“The high-born maiden answered: 'Of this I nought will hear— That with the young King Hartmut I the crown should share, Before our friendly kinsmen, and troth to him be plighted: The name of the knight is Herwic whose love shall never by myself be slighted.'”
Gudrun refuses Hartmut, stating she is betrothed to Herwic and will not break her vow.
Gudrun's firm rejection underscores her loyalty to Herwic.
“They overthrew the castle, the town with fire they burned; From it the best was taken; with wealth they homeward turned: Two and sixty women thence with them they carried, And many lovely maidens.”
Hartmut's forces destroyed the castle, burned the town, looted valuables, and abducted sixty-two women and many maidens.
The violence and scale of the abduction are emphasized.