Gudrun · Chapter
How Hilda Made War to Bring Back Her Daughter explained
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.
What happens
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. After gathering ships and warriors, the fleet sets sail, faces dangers such as the magnetic rocks at Givers, and ultimately continues toward Normandy to rescue Gudrun.
Themes in this chapter
Family and Kinship
Hilda's determination to rescue her daughter Gudrun drives the entire war expedition, highlighting the bonds of family.
Suffering and Endurance
The warriors endure harsh winter weather, perilous seas, and the magnetic rocks, while the women mourn and pray for their safe return.
Power and Warfare
The chapter depicts the mobilization of a massive army and fleet, emphasizing the power of Hilda and her allies in waging war.
Characters to notice
- Hilda
Queen Hilda organizes the war expedition to rescue her daughter Gudrun from the Normans, summoning vassals and allies.
- Herwic
Herwic, Gudrun's betrothed, pledges to join the expedition with three thousand fighters.
- Horant
Horant is sent for by Hilda and promises to bring ten thousand warriors from Denmark.
- Ortwin
Young Ortwin, Hilda's son, is entrusted to the warriors' care during the campaign.
- Wâ-te
Wâ-te advises the fleet during the delay at the magnetic rocks and suggests loading ships with ore.
- Morunc
Morunc, the margrave, brings sixty broad-built ships and warriors to aid the expedition.
Key passages
“Hilda summons her vassals to make an expedition against the Normans.”
Queen Hilda calls her subjects to arms for a campaign to invade Normandy.
Opening action of the chapter.
“The day that she had chosen was at the Christmas-tide, When they must seek the foemen by whom King Hettel died.”
Hilda set the departure for Christmas, timing it to confront the enemies who killed her husband.
Strategic timing of the expedition.
“A wind from the south was blowing, and drove them out to sea. The crew of warlike shipmates from fear no more were free; They could not find the bottom, altho’ they should be casting Lengths of rope a thousand.”
A south wind pushed the fleet into deep waters, terrifying the sailors who could not reach the sea floor even with long ropes.
Perilous sea journey.