# Tale XX: How Hartmut Went Home to Normandy explained — Gudrun

> Chapter companion for Gudrun by Anonymous.

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Suffering and Endurance

Gudrun endures seven years of harsh servitude, including being thrown into the sea and forced to perform menial labor, yet remains steadfast in her refusal to marry Hartmut.

### Gender Roles and Agency

Gudrun's agency is severely restricted as she is treated as property, yet she exercises what little power she has by refusing Hartmut's marriage proposals despite severe consequences.

### Family and Kinship

The conflict between Hartmut's loyalty to his mother Gerlind and his desire for Gudrun, as well as Ortrun's kindness to Gudrun despite familial pressure.

## Character check-ins

### Gudrun

Refuses to marry Hartmut, is thrown into the sea by King Ludwig and rescued by Hartmut, then subjected to harsh servitude under Gerlind for seven years.

### Hartmut

Returns to Normandy with Gudrun, rescues her from drowning, attempts to woo her, and eventually leaves her in his mother's care.

### Ludwig

King of Normandy, angry at Gudrun's refusal, throws her into the sea.

### Gerlind

Hartmut's mother, treats Gudrun harshly, forces her to perform menial labor, and plots to break her spirit.

### Ortrun

Hartmut's sister, shows kindness and honor to Gudrun despite her mother's cruelty.

### Hilda

Gudrun's mother, mentioned as Queen Hilda.

### Hettel

Gudrun's father, mentioned as slain by Ludwig.

## Key lines

> Rather than wed with Hartmut death would I dread far less.

Gudrun declares she would rather die than marry Hartmut.

_Gudrun's strong refusal of Hartmut's marriage proposal._

> Quick by the hair he seized her, and flung her into the sea.

King Ludwig grabbed Gudrun by the hair and threw her into the sea.

_Ludwig's violent reaction to Gudrun's refusal._

> For seven years, full-numbered, in a land far over the water, The maid was toiling wearily, and none did hold her as a kingly daughter.

For seven full years, Gudrun labored wearily in a distant land, and no one treated her like a king's daughter.

_The duration and nature of Gudrun's servitude._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xx-how-hartmut-went-home-to-normandy
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