Gudrun · Chapter
Tale XXIII: How Hilda’s Warriors Landed in Sight of Hartmut’s Kingdom explained
Herwic and Ortwin, along with the Hegeling warriors, land near Hartmut's kingdom.
What happens
Herwic and Ortwin, along with the Hegeling warriors, land near Hartmut's kingdom. After resting and preparing their gear, Ortwin and Herwic volunteer to go ahead as scouts to find Gudrun, despite Wâ-te's warnings. They pledge their knights to rescue the captive maidens, vowing not to abandon them until the strife is settled.
Themes in this chapter
Loyalty and Fidelity
Herwic and Ortwin demonstrate unwavering loyalty to Gudrun, and the knights pledge not to abandon the captive maidens.
Honor and Reputation
The warriors' willingness to risk death and sell lands to free the captives underscores the importance of honor and keeping oaths.
Family and Kinship
Ortwin's determination to rescue his sister Gudrun highlights the strong bonds of kinship driving the narrative.
Characters to notice
- Herwic
Volunteers to go with Ortwin to scout for Gudrun, declaring his faithfulness to her as his betrothed.
- Ortwin
Insists on searching for his sister Gudrun himself, despite Wâ-te's objections.
- Wâ-te
Advises against the risky scouting mission and prepares the warriors' gear and horses.
- Irold
Climbs a tree to scout the land, spotting the seven palaces of Normandy.
- Fru-te
Confers with Wâ-te and Ortwin on the seashore, discussing plans against the Normans.
Key passages
“Before the hill they landed, in sight of the leafy grove; Wary to be, and daring, them did it now behoove.”
They landed near a hill, hidden by a grove, needing to be both cautious and bold.
Describes the cautious landing of the Hegeling warriors.
“I and my friend, young Ortwin, will ne’er the task give over, Whatever shall befall us, and search will make till we Gudrun recover.”
Herwic declares that he and Ortwin will never abandon their mission to find Gudrun, no matter what happens.
Herwic's vow of perseverance in the rescue effort.
“If we, by foemen taken, should be in bondage led, You with gold must free us, and so our bonds must loosen; Lands must you sell and castles, nor ever sorrow feel that thus you’ve chosen.”
Ortwin asks his knights to ransom them with gold, even if it means selling lands and castles, if they are captured.
Ortwin's plea for the knights' commitment to rescue them if taken prisoner.