# Hartmut — Gudrun character guide > Hartmut in Gudrun by Anonymous. **Role:** major **Also known as:** King Hartmut, young Hartmut, brave young Hartmut, the kingly Hartmut, the brave Sir Hartmut, Lord Hartmut, the Norman Hartmut **First appearance:** 0013-tale-x-how-hartmut-sent-to-woo-gudrun ## Who they are Norman prince who sends envoys to claim Gudrun as his bride, then rides to war when she refuses him, setting the poem's central feud in motion. ## Relationships ### [Gudrun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/gudrun) _psychological_ Gudrun is held captive by Hartmut, who is obsessed with forcing her into marriage, creating a dynamic of captor and victim. ### [Hilda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/hilda) _rivalry_ Hartmut is the enemy of Hilda, as he holds her daughter captive and opposes her family. ### [Hettel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/hettel) _rivalry_ Hartmut is a direct antagonist to Hettel, having abducted his daughter and defied his kingdom. ### [Hagen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/hagen) _rivalry_ Hagen is a fierce enemy of Hartmut, fighting to rescue Gudrun and avenge the abduction. ### [Ludwig](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/ludwig) _family_ Ludwig is Hartmut's father, who supports his son's aggressive pursuit of Gudrun. ### [Horant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/horant) _professional_ Horant is a minstrel and spy in Hartmut's court, secretly working for Gudrun's rescue. ### [Gudrun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/gudrun) _psychological_ Gudrun is held captive by Hartmut, who is obsessed with forcing her into marriage, creating a dynamic of captor and victim. ### [Hilda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/hilda) _rivalry_ Hartmut is the enemy of Hilda, as he holds her daughter captive and opposes her family. ### [Hilda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/hilda) _rivalry_ Hartmut is the enemy of Hilda, as he holds her daughter captive and opposes her family. ### [Hettel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/hettel) _rivalry_ Hartmut is a direct antagonist to Hettel, having abducted his daughter and defied his kingdom. ### [Gudrun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/gudrun) _psychological_ Gudrun is held captive by Hartmut, who is obsessed with forcing her into marriage, creating a dynamic of captor and victim. ### [Horant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/horant) _professional_ Horant is a minstrel and spy in Hartmut's court, secretly working for Gudrun's rescue. ## In the story ### [Names of Persons](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/names-of-persons) Son of Ludwig and Gerlind, a suitor for Gudrun. ### [Gudrun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/gudrun) Woos Gudrun and is rejected; later carries her away and holds her captive. ### [Tale X: How Hartmut Sent to Woo Gudrun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-x-how-hartmut-sent-to-woo-gudrun) Norman prince who resolves to woo Gudrun despite his father's warnings; sends sixty messengers with letters and treasure. ### [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) Comes in person to woo Gudrun; is kindly received but warned away, and returns home resolved to win her by force. ### [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) Plans to invade Hegeling land and seize Gudrun as his bride; gathers forces with his father Ludwig. ### [How Hartmut Carried Away Gudrun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xv-how-hartmut-carried-away-gudrun) Sends messengers to woo Gudrun, threatens force, and leads the attack that captures her. ### [How Hettel Came to the Wulpensand in Search of His Daughter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xvii-how-hettel-came-to-the-wulpensand-in-search-of-his-daughter) Along with his father Ludwig, rests on Wulpensand with Gudrun; engages Irold in combat. ### [Tale XX: How Hartmut Went Home to Normandy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xx-how-hartmut-went-home-to-normandy) Returns to Normandy with Gudrun, rescues her from drowning, attempts to woo her, and eventually leaves her in his mother's care. ### [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) Offers Gudrun castles and lands, but she refuses him; he grows wroth at her stubbornness. ### [How Herwic and Ortwin Found Gudrun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xxv-how-herwic-and-ortwin-found-gudrun) Gudrun pretends to accept his suit; he dismisses Gerlind's warnings about her sudden cheerfulness. ### [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) Wakened to hear the news of the besieging army; he recognizes the banners of twenty princes and understands the threat. ### [How Ludwig and Hartmut Met the Hegelings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xxvii-how-ludwig-and-hartmut-met-the-hegelings) Identifies the approaching Hegeling banners, rejects his mother's advice to stay besieged, and wounds Ortwin and Horant in battle. ### [Tale XXVIII: How Herwic Slew Ludwig](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xxviii-how-herwic-slew-ludwig) Prevents the murder of Gudrun and her maidens; is captured by Wâ-te despite Herwic's intervention. ### [How Hartmut Was Taken Prisoner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xxix-how-hartmut-was-taken-prisoner) Hartmut is captured and taken prisoner, later brought before the Hegelings; he pleads for freedom but is denied. ### [How Gudrun Was Brought Home to Hilda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xxx-how-gudrun-was-brought-home-to-hilda) Brought as a captive; freed at Gudrun's request and agrees to wed Hildeburg. ### [How the Four Kings Were Wedded in Hilda's Land](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xxxi-how-the-four-kings-were-wedded-in-hilda-s-land) Marries Hildeburg; gives generously despite his kingdom having been wasted; gains peace and forgiveness through Gudrun's intercession. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/hartmut - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters