# Herwic — Gudrun character guide > Herwic in Gudrun by Anonymous. **Role:** major **Also known as:** the brave King Herwic, young King Herwic, King Herwic, young Herwic, Lord Herwic, Sir Herwic **First appearance:** 0014-tale-xi-how-herwic-sent-to-seek-gudrun-and-how-hartmut-came-himself ## Who they are Young king of Sealand who fights his way into Gudrun's favor, wins her troth, and becomes the knight whose name she invokes against every later suitor. ## Relationships ### [Gudrun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/gudrun) _romantic_ Herwic is Gudrun's betrothed, who leads a rescue expedition to free her from captivity. ### [Hilda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/hilda) _friendship_ Herwic is allied with Hilda as her future son-in-law, working together to rescue Gudrun. ### [Hilda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/hilda) _friendship_ Herwic is allied with Hilda as her future son-in-law, working together to rescue Gudrun. ### [Gudrun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/gudrun) _romantic_ Herwic is Gudrun's betrothed, who leads a rescue expedition to free her from captivity. ### [Hilda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/hilda) _friendship_ Herwic is allied with Hilda as her future son-in-law, working together to rescue Gudrun. ### [Gudrun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/gudrun) _romantic_ Herwic is Gudrun's betrothed, who leads a rescue expedition to free her from captivity. ## In the story ### [Names of Persons](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/names-of-persons) King of Sealand, betrothed to Gudrun. ### [Names of Places](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/names-of-places) King of Sealand, a region in Friesland. ### [Gudrun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/gudrun) Woos and eventually marries Gudrun; leads the rescue 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) King of Sealand who sends suitors for Gudrun but is rejected by Hettel. ### [How Herwic Made War on Hettel, and How Gudrun Was Betrothed to Him](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xii-how-herwic-made-war-on-hettel-and-how-gudrun-was-betrothed-to-him) Brave King Herwic, forbidden to woo Gudrun, invades Hettel's kingdom and fights valiantly. He wins Gudrun's love and is betrothed to her. ### [How Siegfried Made War Against Herwic](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xiii-how-siegfried-made-war-against-herwic) Defends his land against Siegfried's invasion, sends to Hettel for help, and fights bravely before being forced to retreat. ### [How Hartmut Carried Away Gudrun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xv-how-hartmut-carried-away-gudrun) Referenced as Gudrun's betrothed, but does not appear in the chapter. ### [How Hilda Sent to Hettel and Herwic to Ask Their Help Against Hartmut](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xvi-how-hilda-sent-to-hettel-and-herwic-to-ask-their-help-against-hartmut) Summoned by Hettel, weeps upon hearing the news, and agrees to the plan against Hartmut. ### [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) Leaps into the sea and wades ashore to join the battle, seeking to win Gudrun. ### [Tale XVIII: How Ludwig Slew Hettel, and Stole Away in the Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xviii-how-ludwig-slew-hettel-and-stole-away-in-the-night) Calls for a halt to the night fighting to prevent further friendly fire. ### [How the Hegelings Went Home to Their Own Land](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xix-how-the-hegelings-went-home-to-their-own-land) Herwic arrives at Hilda's court, shares her grief, and vows to make Hartmut pay for stealing Gudrun. ### [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) Gudrun's betrothed, to whom she remains faithful despite Hartmut's advances. ### [How Hilda Made War to Bring Back Her Daughter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xxii-how-hilda-made-war-to-bring-back-her-daughter) Herwic, Gudrun's betrothed, pledges to join the expedition with three thousand fighters. ### [Tale XXIII: How Hilda’s Warriors Landed in Sight of Hartmut’s Kingdom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xxiii-how-hilda-s-warriors-landed-in-sight-of-hartmut-s-kingdom) Volunteers to go with Ortwin to scout for Gudrun, declaring his faithfulness to her as his betrothed. ### [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) Mentioned as Gudrun's betrothed, alive and sailing with the rescue fleet. ### [How Herwic and Ortwin Found Gudrun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xxv-how-herwic-and-ortwin-found-gudrun) Discovers Gudrun washing; recognizes her by a ring; decides to return for his army rather than take her dishonorably. ### [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) Accompanies Ortwin in the search and confirms the sighting of Gudrun and Hildeburg. ### [How Ludwig and Hartmut Met the Hegelings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xxvii-how-ludwig-and-hartmut-met-the-hegelings) Leads an attack against King Ludwig and is overthrown by him in battle. ### [Tale XXVIII: How Herwic Slew Ludwig](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xxviii-how-herwic-slew-ludwig) Slays King Ludwig in combat after feeling shamed by his earlier fall; later tries to spare Hartmut for Gudrun's sake. ### [How Gudrun Was Brought Home to Hilda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xxx-how-gudrun-was-brought-home-to-hilda) Gudrun's husband; crowns Gudrun and supports the marriages. ### [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) An open-handed giver, scattering gold and gifts; marries Gudrun; sets free those held in bondage. ### [How They All Went to Their Homes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xxxii-how-they-all-went-to-their-homes) Returns home with Gudrun and swears friendship with Ortwin. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/herwic - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters