Chapter 6 of 13 · 179 words · ~1 min read

Chapter XXXI

., p. 134). Hygelac died between a.d. 512 and 520. Beowulf died about 568. He reigned fifty years.

VIII

HÆTHCYN AND HEREBALD

It would seem doubtful as to whether this was deliberate or accidental. The poet says 'Hæthcyn missed the mark' with his javelin and killed his brother Herebald; but subsequently he speaks as though it had been deliberate murder.

IX

WARS BETWEEN THE SWEDES AND THE GEATS

Characters

1. Swedes

1. Ongentheow, King of the Swedes. 2. Onthere, } 3. Onela, } his two sons. 4. Eadgils, } 5. Eanmund, } two sons of Ohthere.

2. Geats, &c.

6. Hæthcyn, King of Geats. 7. Hygelac, King of Geats. 8. Heardred, King of Geats. 9. Beowulf, King of Geats. 10. Eofor, } 11. Wulf, } two Geat warriors.

Ongentheow was a King of the Swedes. The Swedes are also called Scylfings in the poem. The origin of the word 'Scylfing' is doubtful. Ongentheow went to war with Hæthcyn, King of the Geats and brother of Hygelac; and Ongentheow, who was well advanced in years, struck down his foe (