Gudrun · Chapter
How Hilda Sent to Hettel and Herwic to Ask Their Help Against Hartmut explained
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.
What happens
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.
Themes in this chapter
Family and Kinship
Hettel and Herwic are motivated by the abduction of Gudrun (daughter and betrothed) and the loss of kin, driving their quest for vengeance.
Honor and Reputation
The characters are deeply concerned with avenging wrongs and restoring honor after Hartmut's raid and the humiliation of losing Gudrun.
Suffering and Endurance
Hilda and Hettel endure great sorrow and loss, yet they persevere in seeking retribution and rescue.
Characters to notice
- Hilda
Sends messengers to Hettel and Herwic to report Hartmut's raid and seek their help.
- Hettel
Receives the news of Hartmut's attack, grieves, and decides to make peace with Siegfried to pursue Hartmut.
- Herwic
Summoned by Hettel, weeps upon hearing the news, and agrees to the plan against Hartmut.
- Wâ-te
Advises making peace with Siegfried and seizing pilgrim ships to pursue the Normans.
- Siegfried
Makes peace with Hettel and Herwic, agreeing to join their war against Hartmut.
- Horant
Spots the messengers from Hilda and informs Hettel.
- Irold
Calls out to the Moors offering peace terms.
- Fru-te
Speaks to the Moors, offering them safe departure if they pledge help against the Normans.
Key passages
“The fair and queenly Hilda, with all her will and mind, Gave her thoughts now wholly trusty men to find To bear the tale to Hettel.”
Queen Hilda focused all her energy on finding reliable messengers to send to Hettel.
Hilda's determination to seek help.
“Said one: 'Your lady sent us; to you for help she turns: Wasted are your castles; your lands the foeman burns. Gudrun from thence is carried; her maidens, too, are taken.'”
A messenger reported that Hilda sent them for aid: Hartmut has burned castles, ravaged lands, and taken Gudrun and her maidens.
The urgent message of devastation.
“Then said the aged Wâ-te: 'Further of this say nought. For all the woe and losses these friends to us have brought, Soon will we repay them.'”
Old Wâ-te advised not to dwell on the sorrow, promising that they would soon avenge the wrongs.
Wâ-te's call for action over lamentation.
“To him old Wâ-te answered: 'I know within these borders now are lying near us Well-made ships full seventy; filled with food, these barks from the sands will bear us.'”
Wâ-te revealed that seventy well-provisioned ships belonging to pilgrims were nearby and could be seized for their voyage.
Wâ-te's strategic plan to acquire ships.
