# Hilda — Gudrun character guide > Hilda in Gudrun by Anonymous. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Queen Hilda, fair Hilda, the lovely Hilda, Lady Hilda, the great Queen Hilda **First appearance:** 0008-tale-v-how-w-te-was-sent-to-ireland-as-a-suitor ## Who they are Irish princess carried off by a griffin in youth, now queen of the Hegelings, whose fierce pride in her daughter Gudrun shapes the poem's first conflicts. ## Relationships ### [Gudrun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/gudrun) _family_ Hilda is Gudrun's mother, deeply protective and grieving over her daughter's captivity. ### [Hartmut](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/hartmut) _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) _family_ Hettel is Hilda's husband and king, sharing a marital bond and ruling together. ### [Hagen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/hagen) _professional_ Hagen serves Hilda as a loyal knight and protector of her family's honor. ### [Herwic](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/herwic) _friendship_ Herwic is allied with Hilda as her future son-in-law, working together to rescue Gudrun. ### [Ortwin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/ortwin) _family_ Ortwin is Hilda's son and Gudrun's brother, who participates in the rescue efforts. ### [Ludwig](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/ludwig) _rivalry_ Hilda and Ludwig are opposing monarchs, with Ludwig's family holding her daughter captive. ### [Horant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/horant) _professional_ Horant serves Hilda as a loyal messenger and spy, aiding in the plot to rescue Gudrun. ### [Gudrun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/gudrun) _family_ Hilda is Gudrun's mother, deeply protective and grieving over her daughter's captivity. ### [Hartmut](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/hartmut) _rivalry_ Hartmut is the enemy of Hilda, as he holds her daughter captive and opposes her family. ### [Hartmut](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/hartmut) _rivalry_ Hartmut is the enemy of Hilda, as he holds her daughter captive and opposes her family. ### [Gudrun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/gudrun) _family_ Hilda is Gudrun's mother, deeply protective and grieving over her daughter's captivity. ## In the story ### [Names of Persons](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/names-of-persons) Daughter of Hagen, wife of Hettel, mother of Gudrun and Ortwin. ### [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) The maiden from India whom Hagen marries; she becomes queen and mother of young Hilda. ### [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) Daughter of King Hagen, the sought-after maiden; she welcomes the guests and engages them in conversation. ### [How Sweetly Horant Sang](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-vi-how-sweetly-horant-sang) The young princess of Ireland, deeply moved by Horant's songs, she secretly pledges her love to King Hettel. ### [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) Queen Hilda is tricked into boarding the ship with her maidens and carried away to Hettel's kingdom. ### [Tale VIII: How Hagen Followed His Daughter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-viii-how-hagen-followed-his-daughter) The maiden whose marriage is contested; pleads for peace and reconciliation between her father Hagen and Hettel. ### [How Gudrun Was Sought by Siegfried](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-ix-how-gudrun-was-sought-by-siegfried) Queen and wife of Hettel, mother of Ortwin and Gudrun; she passes with her daughter before the Moorish knights. ### [Tale X: How Hartmut Sent to Woo Gudrun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-x-how-hartmut-sent-to-woo-gudrun) Queen of the Hegelings, Gudrun's mother; supports Hettel's rejection, citing historical conflicts and vassalage to Hagen. ### [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) Queen and Gudrun's mother; observes Hartmut at court. ### [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) Queen Hilda, mother of Gudrun, advises caution and insists on a year's delay before the marriage, which leads to later troubles. ### [How Siegfried Made War Against Herwic](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xiii-how-siegfried-made-war-against-herwic) Supports her daughter Gudrun and promises rewards to those who help in the war. ### [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) Receives Hettel's message and begins to hope for Herwic's success. ### [How Hartmut Carried Away Gudrun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xv-how-hartmut-carried-away-gudrun) Receives Hartmut's messengers, tries to manage the defense, and later sends word to Hettel of the attack. ### [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) Sends messengers to Hettel and Herwic to report Hartmut's raid and seek their help. ### [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) Queen Hilda mourns the death of her husband Hettel and the loss of her daughter Gudrun, but she begins to plan for revenge and orders restitution to pilgrims. ### [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 mother, mentioned as Queen Hilda. ### [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 mother, Queen Hilda, mentioned as a reference to Gudrun's noble lineage. ### [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) Queen Hilda organizes the war expedition to rescue her daughter Gudrun from the Normans, summoning vassals and allies. ### [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 mother who is alive and has sent an army for rescue. ### [How Gudrun Was Brought Home to Hilda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xxx-how-gudrun-was-brought-home-to-hilda) Welcomes the returning ships, initially does not recognize Gudrun, but later embraces her and grants her requests. ### [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) Hosts the wedding festival; gives fine clothing to all; bids farewell with friendly love and provides a guard for the departing guests. ### [How They All Went to Their Homes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xxxii-how-they-all-went-to-their-homes) Queen Hilda gives generous parting gifts and asks Gudrun to visit yearly. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/hilda - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters