Character guide

Gudrun

major

Also known as Gudrun the lovely, fair Gudrun, young Gudrun

Daughter of Hettel and Hilda, central heroine abducted by Hartmut.

Hartmut

major

Also known as King Hartmut, young Hartmut, brave young Hartmut, the kingly Hartmut, the brave Sir Hartmut, Lord Hartmut, the Norman Hartmut

Son of Ludwig and Gerlind, abducts Gudrun and later marries her.

Hettel

major

Also known as King Hettel, the young King Hettel, the kingly Hettel, the knightly Hettel, the doughty Hettel, the lordly Hettel

King of the Hegelings, father of Gudrun, slain by Ludwig.

Hilda

major

Also known as Queen Hilda, fair Hilda, the lovely Hilda, Lady Hilda, the great Queen Hilda

Queen of the Hegelings, wife of Hettel, mother of Gudrun.

Hagen

supporting

Also known as King Hagen, wild Hagen, the mighty Hagen, the wild King Hagen, the lordly Hagen, great Hagen, the youthful Hagen

King of Ireland, father of Hilda, carried off by a griffin as a child.

Herwic

major

Also known as the brave King Herwic, young King Herwic, King Herwic, young Herwic, Lord Herwic, Sir Herwic

King of Sealand, betrothed to Gudrun, fights to rescue her.

Ortwin

supporting

Also known as young Ortwin, Young Ortwin, the youthful Ortwin, King Ortwin, the high-bred Ortwin, brave Ortwin

Son of Hettel and Hilda, brother of Gudrun, aids in her rescue.

Ludwig

supporting

Also known as King Ludwig, the glad King Ludwig, old King Ludwig

King of Normandy, father of Hartmut, slain by Herwic.

Gerlind

supporting

Also known as old Gerlind, the wicked Gerlind, evil Gerlind, the wolfish Gerlind, Queen Gerlind

Queen of Normandy, mother of Hartmut, cruel to Gudrun.

Wâ-te

supporting

Also known as Sir Wâ-te, old Wâ-te, wise old Wâ-te, Siegfried Wâ-te, the aged Wâ-te, Wâ-te the old, the Sturmisch Wâ-te

Aged warrior and counselor of the Hegelings, father of Horant.

Horant

supporting

Also known as young Horant, Horant the Dane, brave Horant, Sir Horant, the Danish Horant

Dane and skilled singer, son of Wâ-te, helps woo Hilda for Hettel.

Ortrun

supporting

Also known as the youthful Ortrun, fair Ortrun, Young Ortrun

Daughter of Ludwig and Gerlind, sister of Hartmut, befriends Gudrun.

Sigeband

minor

Also known as young Sigeband, the kingly Sigeband, King Sigeband, the Griffin Sigeband

King of Ireland, father of Hagen, husband of Ute.

Ute

minor

Also known as Queen U-te, Lady U-te, the Lady U-te

Queen of Ireland, mother of Hagen, wife of Sigeband.

Irold

minor

Also known as Irold the strong, the knightly Irold

A knight of the Hegelings, fights in the wars.

Morunc

minor

Also known as Morunc the youthful, Sir Morunc

A young knight of the Hegelings, participates in battles.

Fru-te

minor

Also known as the Danish Fru-te, brave Fru-te, Sir Fru-te, the brave old Fru-te, old Fru-te

A Danish warrior and counselor to the Hegelings.

Hildeburg

minor

Also known as fair Hildeburg, lovely Hildeburg, the Lady Hildeburg

A noble maiden, companion to Gudrun in captivity.

Siegfried

minor

Also known as Siegfried Wâ-te

A suitor for Gudrun, later makes war on Herwic.

Grim

minor

A warrior mentioned in the narrative.