# Hettel — Gudrun character guide > Hettel in Gudrun by Anonymous. **Role:** major **Also known as:** King Hettel, the young King Hettel, the kingly Hettel, the knightly Hettel, the doughty Hettel, the lordly Hettel **First appearance:** 0008-tale-v-how-w-te-was-sent-to-ireland-as-a-suitor ## Who they are Orphaned king of the Hegelings who wins Hilda of Ireland for his queen, only to find his daughter's beauty brings a war he cannot escape. ## Relationships ### [Hilda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/hilda) _family_ Hettel is Hilda's husband and king, sharing a marital bond and ruling together. ### [Hartmut](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/hartmut) _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) _family_ Hagen is Hettel's vassal and close relative, serving as a loyal warrior and advisor. ### [Gudrun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/gudrun) _family_ Hettel is Gudrun's father, who desperately seeks to rescue her from captivity. ### [Hagen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/hagen) _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_ 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) _family_ Hettel is Gudrun's father, who desperately seeks to rescue her from captivity. ### [Hilda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/hilda) _family_ Hettel is Hilda's husband and king, sharing a marital bond and ruling together. ### [Hartmut](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/hartmut) _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) _family_ Hagen is Hettel's vassal and close relative, serving as a loyal warrior and advisor. ### [Gudrun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/gudrun) _family_ Hettel is Gudrun's father, who desperately seeks to rescue her from captivity. ### [Hilda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/hilda) _family_ Hettel is Hilda's husband and king, sharing a marital bond and ruling together. ## In the story ### [Names of Persons](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/names-of-persons) King of the Hegelings, husband of Hilda, father of Gudrun and Ortwin. ### [Names of Places](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/names-of-places) Ruler of the Hegelings and Friesland; his castle is Kampatille/Matelan. ### [Gudrun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/gudrun) Gudrun's father; dies in battle at the Wulpensand. ### [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 the Hegelings, orphaned, seeks a wife and sends Wâ-te, Horant, and Fru-te to woo Hilda. ### [How Sweetly Horant Sang](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-vi-how-sweetly-horant-sang) The Hegeling king, whose suit for Hilda is advanced by Horant's mission. ### [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 Hettel receives news of Hilda's capture, prepares a grand welcome, and greets her with joy. ### [Tale VIII: How Hagen Followed His Daughter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-viii-how-hagen-followed-his-daughter) King of the Hegelings; fights Hagen to keep Hilda; brokers peace and marries Hilda. ### [How Gudrun Was Sought by Siegfried](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-ix-how-gudrun-was-sought-by-siegfried) King of the Hegelings, happy on his throne with Hilda; he rejects Siegfried's suit out of pride and strengthens his kingdom. ### [Tale X: How Hartmut Sent to Woo Gudrun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-x-how-hartmut-sent-to-woo-gudrun) King of the Hegelings, Gudrun's father; angrily rejects Hartmut's suit after reading the letters. ### [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) Gudrun's father; rejects Herwic's suit and is wary of Hartmut's presence. ### [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) King Hettel, father of Gudrun, initially forbids Herwic's suit but later consents to the betrothal after recognizing Herwic's prowess in battle. ### [How Siegfried Made War Against Herwic](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xiii-how-siegfried-made-war-against-herwic) Responds to Herwic's plea and Gudrun's request, gathering a large coalition to aid Herwic. ### [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) Sends tidings to Hilda and Gudrun about the siege of Siegfried; swears not to leave the castle until victory. ### [How Hartmut Carried Away Gudrun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xv-how-hartmut-carried-away-gudrun) Absent during the attack, away fighting in the Waalisch marches; Hilda sends him news of the disaster. ### [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) Receives the news of Hartmut's attack, grieves, and decides to make peace with Siegfried to pursue 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) Leads the pursuit to rescue his daughter Gudrun, fights bravely in the battle. ### [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) Slain by Ludwig in battle. ### [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) King Hettel is remembered as having been killed in the battle on the Wulpensand. ### [Tale XX: How Hartmut Went Home to Normandy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xx-how-hartmut-went-home-to-normandy) Gudrun's father, mentioned as slain by Ludwig. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/hettel - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters