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PERSONS AND PLACES.
149
Hring-Dene, 116, 1279, Ring-Danes; see Dene.
Hrones-næs, 2805, 3136, “Whale’s Ness.” Beowulf, in his dying speech, names this place as the site of the barrow which is to hold his ashes and perpetuate his name.
Hrōðgār, king of the Danes, second son of Healfdene. For his family see the genealogical tables on p. 140. He is one of the chief persons in the poem, the builder of the hall Heorot which Grendel ravages; thus he prepares the way for the coming of the hero. See Argument.
Hrōðmund, 1189, younger son of Hrothgar.
Hrōðulf, 1017, 1181, probably the son of Hrothgar’s younger brother Halga (q. v.). He lived at the Danish court. Wealhtheow expresses the hope that he will be good to their children in return for their kindness to him, if he survives Hrothgar (1180 ff.). It would seem that this hope was not destined to be fulfilled (1164—5).
Hrunting, 1457, 1490, 1659, 1807, the sword of Unferth (q. v.), which he lends to Beowulf for his fight with Grendel’s mother.
Hūgas, 2502, 2914, the Hugs; see Froncan.
Hūlnlāfing, 1143, the son of Hunlaf; the warrior of Finn who slew Hengest. See Finn, and the note on ll. 1142—4.
Hygd, 1926, 2172, 2369, daughter of Hæreð (1929), wife of Hygelac (q. v.), and mother of Heardred. See 1926 ff., and Hygelac.
Hygelāc (usually spelt Higelāc, 435, etc.; Hygelāc 2151, etc.; gen. Hygelāces 1530, 2386, 2943, Higelāces 194, etc.; dat. Hygelāce 2169, Higelāce 452, etc.), the reigning king of the Geats during the greater part of the action of the poem; see Argument. He is the third son of Hrethel, and uncle to Beowulf; see genealogical tables.
When his brother Hæthcyn was defeated and slain by Ongentheow at Ravenswood (2924), Hygelac came quickly in pursuit (2943) and put Ongentheow to flight (2949); but though, as the leader of the attack, he is called “Ongentheow’s banesman” (1968), the actual slayer was Eofor (q. v.), whom Hygelac rewards with the hand of his only daughter (2977 ff.). At the later time of Beowulf’s return from his expedition against Grendel, Hygelac, who is still young (1831), is married to Hygd, who is herself “very young” and has not long been queen (1926—8); she would seem then to have been his second wife. Hygelac came by his death in his historical invasion of the Netherlands, which is four times referred to in the poem (1202 ff., 2354 ff., 2501 ff., 2914 ff.), and occurred between 512 and 520 A.D.
Ingeld, 2064, son of Froda (2025), and prince of the Heathobards. Beowulf tells Hygelac that Hrothgar’s daughter Freawaru is promised