Tale XXVIII: How Herwic Slew Ludwig explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Honor and Reputation

  Herwic is driven by shame at being seen falling by Gudrun, motivating him to kill Ludwig and restore his honor.

• Suffering and Endurance

  Gudrun endures the threat of murder and the ongoing siege, relying on her composure and pleas to influence events.

• Gender Roles and Agency

  Gudrun uses her voice to plead for Hartmut's life, while Gerlind schemes from within the castle, showing limited but real female agency in a male-dominated conflict.

Characters to notice

• Herwic

  Slays King Ludwig in combat after feeling shamed by his earlier fall; later tries to spare Hartmut for Gudrun's sake.

• Gudrun

  Watches the battle from the castle, screams when threatened by Gerlind's hired killer, and pleads with Herwic to save Hartmut.

• Hartmut

  Prevents the murder of Gudrun and her maidens; is captured by Wâ-te despite Herwic's intervention.

• Gerlind

  Bribes a man to kill Gudrun after Ludwig's death, but her plot is thwarted by Hartmut.

• Ludwig

  Killed by Herwic in single combat; his death is mourned by Ortrun and the Norman court.

• Wâ-te

  Leads the assault on the castle gate, captures Hartmut, and strikes Herwic when he tries to intervene.

• Ortrun

  Mourns her father Ludwig and begs Gudrun to help save her brother Hartmut.

Key passages

• “Now said Herwic sadly: 'Ah, welaway! Woe's me! If fair Gudrun, my lady, my fall did lately see. Should e'er the hour be coming when I shall clasp the maiden, And as a wife shall own her, with blame and scorn shall I by her be laden.'”

  Herwic laments that Gudrun witnessed his defeat, fearing she will scorn him if they marry.

  Herwic's shame drives his subsequent attack on Ludwig.

• “Then ran a worthless fellow, to whom the fee was dear, To where the Hegeling maidens sat together near. Then the hearts of the women with many fears he loaded; For the sake of gold to be given, to take their lives he now was sharply goaded.”

  A mercenary, bribed by Gerlind, approaches Gudrun and her maidens with a drawn sword, intending to kill them for gold.

  Gerlind's plot to murder Gudrun after Ludwig's death.

• “She said: 'If you would help me, my good and worthy knight, I trust that you will grant me that what I ask is right: To me these lovely maidens their prayers are ever making, That from the fight with Wâ-te some friendly hand will Hartmut soon be taking.'”

  Gudrun asks Herwic to intervene and save Hartmut from Wâ-te's attack.

  Gudrun's plea for mercy on Hartmut's behalf.