Gudrun, Princess of the Hegelings

For the third heroic woman’s journey at The Compass Rose Queen, we revisit the world of legends.The Lay of Gudrun, or Gudrun Lied, was a Middle High German epic poem. It was written in the early 13th century by an unnamed Austrian poet.

The poet was inspired by the Old German epic Nibelungenlied. This work also led to a Norse epic about a girl named Gudrun, but that is a different story. See the recently published story of The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrun by J.R.R. Tolkien to read about that Gudrun.The Austrian version of Gudrun is also spelled Kudrun, and many references use this spelling to refer to this legend to distinguish it from the Norse one.

There are many modern translations and versions of the original poem. I read the prose version of Gudrun by Alma Johanna Koenig, translated by Anthea Bell. Her version was published in 1928 and became a German literature classic. She was deported in 1942 from Vienna to Minsk, a concentration camp. There is no record of her survival. Thus the author of the version of Gudrun I read had her own epic journey, albeit a tragic one. Fortunately for the legend’s sake, Gudrun’s fate was different.

The epic poem named after its central character is a highly romantic story of strength and chivalry. Gudrun was the daughter of King Hettel of the Hegelings. Thirty kingdoms were under his domain, including Denmark, Sturmen, Frisia, and Waleis. Hettel ruled from Matalane, where he held court.

Gudrun, like her mother Hilde before her, was so beautiful that many kings sought her hand in marriage. The first was the Prince of the Moors. King Hettel refused his request, not realizing that his daughter had grown into a young woman. The second was Hartmut, son of King Ludwig of Normandy.

The third was Lord Herwig, ruler of Zealand (or Sealand). He fell in love with Gudrun when he fought in a tournament in Matalane. She fell in love with him as well. When Herwig was denied, he attacked Matalane. Gudrun intervened, saving his life. King Hettel admired his strength and agreed to the marriage, provided Herwig wait a year. Gudrun gave him the kiss of betrothal.

In that year, the Prince of the Moors attacked Matalane, angry that Gudrun had been promised to another after his rejection. While the Hegelings and Herwig’s army went to fight the Moors, Hartmut’s mother convinced him to go kidnap Gudrun while she was unguarded.

Hartmut stole Gudrun, her best friend Hildburg, and many other young women from Matalane. The ladies were first taken to Wulpensand, where King Ludwig hoped to procrastinate returning to Hartmut’s mother, Lady Gerlind. There the Hegelings caught up with and attacked the Normans. Ludwig’s men prevailed, killing King Hettel, and Gudrun and her friends sailed all the way to Normandy.

In Normandy, Gudrun continued to refuse Hartmut’s attempts to wed her. Lady Gerlind hated her for this. Her son’s happiness was worth more to her than doing the right thing. Hartmut left for a voyage, depressed. So Lady Gerlind forced Gudrun to become a slave. She hoped to break her will and convince her to marry Hartmut. But Gudrun remained true to Herwig. Humbly, the princess performed backbreaking tasks. Only Ortrun, Hartmut’s young sister, showed Gudrun kindness. Her friend Hildburg also stayed by her side, demanding that she be allowed to share her work.

Thirteen long years passed until the Hegelings, led by Gudrun’s younger brother Ortwin, and Herwig’s army had built up enough men and arms to attack Normandy. Herwig saw Gudrun and Hildburg washing clothes on the seashore. He did not recognize them, however, and offered them gold for information about the long-lost Hegeling princess. Gudrun tested his love under her disguise. At last she reveals herself, and the couple are happily reunited with a kiss.

Ortwin, however, reminded Herwig of all the other ladies that were abducted as well. They sent Gudrun and Hildburg back to the castle, where Gudrun refused to serve Lady Gerlind anymore. The Hegelings and Zealanders attack and win. Gerlind pleaded for her life, and Gudrun granted it. But her father’s giant friend Wate beheaded her for all the pain she had caused Gudrun. Hartmut, however, is pardoned for his part in the plot. Ortrun is honored for her help.

At last, Gudrun returned to her mother and her homeland. Peace is restored to the land of the Hegelings, and all the ladies restored to their families. Gudrun and Herwig finally marry, after thirteen long years apart.

Gudrun’s journey revealed not only her heart, but the strength of it. This princess had humility, endurance, and strength of will. She had the deepest love for her fiancee, family, and friends. All of these things are what make legends legendary. Gudrun’s legend lives on.

References: Gudrun by Alma Johanna Koenig, translated by Anthea Bell. English translation 1979 by Kestrel books.

http://www.timelessmyths.com/norse/kudrun

http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/kudrun