# Tale XXVIII: How Herwic Slew Ludwig explained — Gudrun

> Chapter companion for Gudrun by Anonymous.

## What happens

Herwic, ashamed that Gudrun saw him thrown by Ludwig, rallies his men and slays the old king. Gerlind bribes a knave to murder Gudrun, but Hartmut intervenes and saves her. Hartmut is captured by Wâ-te despite Herwic's attempt to spare him at Gudrun's request.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xxviii-how-herwic-slew-ludwig
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se/chapters