# Hagen — Gudrun character guide

> Hagen in Gudrun by Anonymous.

**Role:** supporting

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

**First appearance:** 0004-tale-i-how-hagen-was-carried-off-by-the-griffin

## Who they are

Irish king who as a boy was snatched by a griffin and raised among strange maidens, later returning home to rule and give his daughter Hilda to Hettel.

## Relationships

### [Hettel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/hettel)

_family_

Hagen is Hettel's vassal and close relative, serving as a loyal warrior and advisor.

### [Hilda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/hilda)

_professional_

Hagen serves Hilda as a loyal knight and protector of her family's honor.

### [Hartmut](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/hartmut)

_rivalry_

Hagen is a fierce enemy of Hartmut, fighting to rescue Gudrun and avenge the abduction.

### [Hettel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/hettel)

_family_

Hagen is Hettel's vassal and close relative, serving as a loyal warrior and advisor.

### [Hartmut](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/hartmut)

_rivalry_

Hagen is a fierce enemy of Hartmut, fighting to rescue Gudrun and avenge the abduction.

### [Hettel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/hettel)

_family_

Hagen is Hettel's vassal and close relative, serving as a loyal warrior and advisor.

### [Hilda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/hilda)

_professional_

Hagen serves Hilda as a loyal knight and protector of her family's honor.

### [Hartmut](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/hartmut)

_rivalry_

Hagen is a fierce enemy of Hartmut, fighting to rescue Gudrun and avenge the abduction.

### [Hilda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/hilda)

_professional_

Hagen serves Hilda as a loyal knight and protector of her family's honor.

## In the story

### [Names of Persons](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/names-of-persons)

Son of Sigeband and U-te, grandfather of Gudrun.

### [Names of Places](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/names-of-places)

King of Ireland; his chief city is Ballian.

### [Tale I: How Hagen Was Carried Off by the Griffin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-i-how-hagen-was-carried-off-by-the-griffin)

Seven-year-old son of Sigeband, carried off by a griffin.

### [Tale II: How Hagen Slew the Griffin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-ii-how-hagen-slew-the-griffin)

The young prince of Ireland, carried off by a griffin, survives in a cave with three maidens, slays the griffins, and arranges their rescue.

### [How Hagen Sailed to His Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-iii-how-hagen-sailed-to-his-home)

Shows fierce strength and cunning, seizing control of the ship and forcing the sailors to bring him home to Ireland.

### [Tale IV: How Hagen Was Met by His Father and Mother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-iv-how-hagen-was-met-by-his-father-and-mother)

Reunited with his parents, receives rule of the kingdom, marries Hilda, and becomes a fierce warrior known as 'the Devil of kings.'

### [Tale V: How Wâ-te Was Sent to Ireland as a Suitor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-v-how-w-te-was-sent-to-ireland-as-a-suitor)

King of Ireland, father of Hilda; he receives the suitors and offers to teach Wâ-te sword-play.

### [How Sweetly Horant Sang](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-vi-how-sweetly-horant-sang)

King of Ireland, initially pleased by Horant's singing but grows wary of the guests' influence.

### [Tale VII: How the Maidens Came to See the Ship, and Were Carried to Hettel’s Kingdom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-vii-how-the-maidens-came-to-see-the-ship-and-were-carried-to-hettel-s-kingdom)

King Hagen is deceived while inspecting goods; he angrily pursues but is delayed by unready ships.

### [Tale VIII: How Hagen Followed His Daughter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-viii-how-hagen-followed-his-daughter)

Leads the Irish forces to rescue his daughter Hilda; engages in battle with Wâ-te and Hettel; eventually consents to Hilda's marriage.

## Links

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