Gudrun · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for Gudrun by Anonymous.
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Chapter 1
Names of Persons
This chapter lists the principal characters of the epic, providing their names, familial relationships, and roles in the narrative. It introduces the royal lineages of Ireland, the Hegelings, Normandy, and Moorland, establishing the key figures who will drive the story of Gudrun.
Chapter 2
Names of Places
This chapter provides a glossary of place names mentioned in the epic, identifying their geographical or legendary associations, such as Hegeling (Hettel's people in Holland), Moorland (Siegfried's kingdom), and Normandy (Hartmut's realm).
Chapter 3
Gudrun
This chapter introduces Gudrun, the daughter of King Hettel and Queen Hilda, and follows her early life, including the rejection of Siegfried's suit, the wooing by Hartmut and Herwic, and the eventual conflict that leads to her being carried away by Hartmut. It details her captivity, forced labor, and the eventual rescue by Herwic and Ortwin, culminating in her marriage to Herwic.
Chapter 4
Tale I: How Hagen Was Carried Off by the Griffin
Sigeband, king of Ireland, marries a princess of Norway and they have a son, Hagen. During a court festival, seven-year-old Hagen is carried off by a griffin while outside the castle with his attendants.
Chapter 5
Tale II: How Hagen Slew the Griffin
Hagen, carried off by a griffin as a child, falls from its grasp and hides in a cave where he meets three kidnapped princesses. They raise him with wild food until he grows strong. One day, he finds washed-up armor and weapons, slays the griffins, and later persuades a passing ship's earl to rescue them all from the rocky island.
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30 more companions → free preview- Chapter 6How Hagen Sailed to His Home
- Chapter 7Tale IV: How Hagen Was Met by His Father and Mother
- Chapter 8Tale V: How Wâ-te Was Sent to Ireland as a Suitor
- Chapter 9How Sweetly Horant Sang
- Chapter 10Tale VII: How the Maidens Came to See the Ship, and Were Carried to Hettel’s Kingdom
- Chapter 11Tale VIII: How Hagen Followed His Daughter
- Chapter 12How Gudrun Was Sought by Siegfried
- Chapter 13Tale X: How Hartmut Sent to Woo Gudrun
- Chapter 14Tale XI: How Herwic Sent to Seek Gudrun and How Hartmut Came Himself
- Chapter 15How Herwic Made War on Hettel, and How Gudrun Was Betrothed to Him
- Chapter 16How Siegfried Made War Against Herwic
- Chapter 17Tale XIV: How Hettel Sent Tidings from Herwic’s Land
- Chapter 18How Hartmut Carried Away Gudrun
- Chapter 19How Hilda Sent to Hettel and Herwic to Ask Their Help Against Hartmut
- Chapter 20How Hettel Came to the Wulpensand in Search of His Daughter
- Chapter 21Tale XVIII: How Ludwig Slew Hettel, and Stole Away in the Night
- Chapter 22How the Hegelings Went Home to Their Own Land
- Chapter 23Tale XX: How Hartmut Went Home to Normandy
- Chapter 24How Gudrun Must Wash Clothes on the Beach
- Chapter 25How Hilda Made War to Bring Back Her Daughter
- Chapter 26Tale XXIII: How Hilda’s Warriors Landed in Sight of Hartmut’s Kingdom
- Chapter 27How Their Coming Was Made Known to Gudrun
- Chapter 28How Herwic and Ortwin Found Gudrun
- Chapter 29How the Hegelings Landed Near Ludwig’s Castle
- Chapter 30How Ludwig and Hartmut Met the Hegelings
- Chapter 31Tale XXVIII: How Herwic Slew Ludwig
- Chapter 32How Hartmut Was Taken Prisoner
- Chapter 33How Gudrun Was Brought Home to Hilda
- Chapter 34How the Four Kings Were Wedded in Hilda's Land
- Chapter 35How They All Went to Their Homes