Beowulf Page #4

								


~Beowulf~.--The hero of the poem. Sprung from the stock of Geats, son of Ecgtheow. Brought up by his maternal grandfather Hrethel, and figuring in manhood as a devoted liegeman of his uncle Higelac. A hero from his youth. Has the strength of thirty men. Engages in a swimming-match with Breca. Goes to the help of Hrothgar against the monster Grendel. Vanquishes Grendel and his mother. Afterwards becomes king of the Geats. Late in life attempts to kill a fire-spewing dragon, and is slain. Is buried with great honors. His memorial mound.--626; 72; 79; 93; 98; 1228; 1243; 231, etc.

~Breca~.--Beowulf's opponent in the famous swimming-match.--98; 919; 921; 922.

~Brondings~.--A people ruled by Breca.--923.

~Brosinga mene~.--A famous collar once owned by the Brosings.--197.

~Cain~.--Progenitor of Grendel and other monsters.--256; 2011.

~Dæghr efn~.--A warrior of the Hugs, killed by Beowulf.--3540.

~Danes~.--Subjects of Scyld and his descendants, and hence often called Scyldings. Other names for them are Victory-Scyldings, Honor-Scyldings, Armor-Danes, Bright-Danes, East-Danes, West-Danes, North-Danes, South-Danes, Ingwins, Hrethmen.--11; 21; 32; 514; 71, etc.

~Ecglaf~.--Father of Unferth, who taunts Beowulf.--91.

~Ecgtheow~.--Father of Beowulf, the hero of the poem. A widely-known Wægmunding warrior. Marries Hrethel's daughter. After slaying Heatholaf, a Wylfing, he flees his country.--73; 56; 84.

~Ecgwela~.--A king of the Danes before Scyld.--2560.

[xiv]

~Elan~.--Sister of Hrothgar, and probably wife of Ongentheow, king of the Swedes.--210.

~Eagle Cape~.--A promontory in Geat-land, under which took place Beowulf's last encounter.--4187.

~Eadgils~.--Son of Ohthere and brother of Eanmund.--342.

~Eanmund~.--Son of Ohthere and brother of Eadgils. The reference to these brothers is vague, and variously understood. Heyne supposes as follows: Raising a revolt against their father, they are obliged to leave Sweden. They go to the land of the Geats; with what intention, is not known, but probably to conquer and plunder. The Geatish king, Heardred, is slain by one of the brothers, probably Eanmund.--3610; 3154 to 3160; 3366 to 346.

~Eofor~.--A Geatish hero who slays Ongentheow in war, and is rewarded by Hygelac with the hand of his only daughter.--4118; 4148.

~Eormenric~.--A Gothic king, from whom Hama took away the famous Brosinga mene.--199.

~Eomær~.--Son of Offa and Thrytho, king and queen of the Angles.--2869.

~Finn~.--King of the North-Frisians and the Jutes. Marries Hildeburg. At his court takes place the horrible slaughter in which the Danish general, Hnæf, fell. Later on, Finn himself is slain by Danish warriors.--1718; 1730; 1744; 184; 1823.

~Fin-land~.--The country to which Beowulf was driven by the currents in his swimming-match.--1022.

~Fitela~.--Son and nephew of King Sigemund, whose praises are sung in XIV.--1442; 1453.

~Folcwalda~.--Father of Finn.--1738.

~Franks~.--Introduced occasionally in referring to the death of Higelac.--1919; 4021; 40_24.
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