# Gerlind — Gudrun character guide

> Gerlind in Gudrun by Anonymous.

**Role:** supporting

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

**First appearance:** 0018-tale-xv-how-hartmut-carried-away-gudrun

## Snapshot

Normandy's queen and Hartmut's mother, whose wolfish cruelty toward the captive Gudrun drives the story's long captivity.

## Who they are

Gerlind is Ludwig's wife and the mistress of the Norman court, a woman the poem calls wicked, evil, and wolfish without apology. Where her son wants Gudrun as a bride, Gerlind wants her broken, and she presses the captive princess with offers of a crown and threats of worse. Her scheming against Gudrun gives the middle of the poem its grinding tension, and her readiness to leave her sleeping husband's side at the first alarm shows a mind always calculating its own advantage.

## Relationships

### [Gudrun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/gudrun)

_psychological_

Gerlind is Hartmut's mother and Gudrun's cruel tormentor, constantly manipulating and abusing her.

### [Gudrun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/gudrun)

_psychological_

Gerlind is Hartmut's mother and Gudrun's cruel tormentor, constantly manipulating and abusing her.

### [Gudrun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/gudrun)

_psychological_

Gerlind is Hartmut's mother and Gudrun's cruel tormentor, constantly manipulating and abusing her.

## In the story

### [Gudrun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/gudrun)

Hartmut's mother; torments Gudrun during her captivity.

### [Tale X: How Hartmut Sent to Woo Gudrun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-x-how-hartmut-sent-to-woo-gudrun)

Hartmut's mother; encourages the wooing, suggests sending letters and fine clothes, and later laments the failed mission.

### [Tale XI: How Herwic Sent to Seek Gudrun and How Hartmut Came Himself](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xi-how-herwic-sent-to-seek-gudrun-and-how-hartmut-came-himself)

Hartmut's mother; spurs him on with steady hatred toward war with Hettel.

### [Tale XIV: How Hettel Sent Tidings from Herwic’s Land](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xiv-how-hettel-sent-tidings-from-herwic-s-land)

Urges the knights to attack Hettel, offers gold and silver, and plots to have Gudrun married to Hartmut.

### [Tale XX: How Hartmut Went Home to Normandy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xx-how-hartmut-went-home-to-normandy)

Hartmut's mother, treats Gudrun harshly, forces her to perform menial labor, and plots to break her spirit.

### [How Gudrun Must Wash Clothes on the Beach](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xxi-how-gudrun-must-wash-clothes-on-the-beach)

The wicked queen who sets Gudrun to hard labor, forcing her to wash clothes on the beach.

### [How Their Coming Was Made Known to Gudrun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xxiv-how-their-coming-was-made-known-to-gudrun)

Scolds the maidens for not washing quickly enough; forces them to wash barefoot in the snow; threatens them with worse treatment.

### [How Herwic and Ortwin Found Gudrun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xxv-how-herwic-and-ortwin-found-gudrun)

Observes Gudrun's unusual laughter and suspects trouble; warns Hartmut of possible rescue by Gudrun's kinsmen.

### [How the Hegelings Landed Near Ludwig’s Castle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xxvi-how-the-hegelings-landed-near-ludwig-s-castle)

Hears the warder's cry, wakes King Ludwig, and ascends the castle roof to see the foemen, then returns to rouse the king.

### [How Ludwig and Hartmut Met the Hegelings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xxvii-how-ludwig-and-hartmut-met-the-hegelings)

Advises Hartmut to remain in the castle and prepare for a siege, but her counsel is rejected.

### [Tale XXVIII: How Herwic Slew Ludwig](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xxviii-how-herwic-slew-ludwig)

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

### [How Hartmut Was Taken Prisoner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xxix-how-hartmut-was-taken-prisoner)

Gerlind begs Gudrun for protection but is recognized and killed by Wâ-te.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/gerlind
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters