Part 3 (1/2)

GLOSSARY OF PROPER NAMES.

[The figures refer to the divisions of the poem in which the respective names occur. The large figures refer to fitts, the small, to lines in the fitts.]

--aelfhere--.--A kinsman of Wiglaf.--36_3.

--aeschere--.--Confidential friend of King Hrothgar. Elder brother of Yrmenlaf. Killed by Grendel.--21_3; 30_89.

--Beanstan--.--Father of Breca.--9_26.

--Beowulf--.--Son of Scyld, the founder of the dynasty of Scyldings. Father of Healfdene, and grandfather of Hrothgar.--1_18; 2_1.

--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.--6_26; 7_2; 7_9; 9_3; 9_8; 12_28; 12_43; 23_1, etc.

--Breca--.--Beowulf's opponent in the famous swimming-match.--9_8; 9_19; 9_21; 9_22.

--Brondings--.--A people ruled by Breca.--9_23.

--Brosinga mene--.--A famous collar once owned by the Brosings.--19_7.

--Cain--.--Progenitor of Grendel and other monsters.--2_56; 20_11.

--Daeghrefn--.--A warrior of the Hugs, killed by Beowulf.--35_40.

--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.--1_1; 2_1; 3_2; 5_14; 7_1, etc.

--Ecglaf--.--Father of Unferth, who taunts Beowulf.--9_1.

--Ecgtheow--.--Father of Beowulf, the hero of the poem. A widely-known Waegmunding warrior. Marries Hrethel's daughter. After slaying Heatholaf, a Wylfing, he flees his country.--7_3; 5_6; 8_4.

--Ecgwela--.--A king of the Danes before Scyld.--25_60.

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--Elan--.--Sister of Hrothgar, and probably wife of Ongentheow, king of the Swedes.--2_10.

--Eagle Cape--.--A promontory in Geat-land, under which took place Beowulf's last encounter.--41_87.

--Eadgils--.--Son of Ohthere and brother of Eanmund.--34_2.

--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.--36_10; 31_54 to 31_60; 33_66 to 34_6.

--Eofor--.--A Geatish hero who slays Ongentheow in war, and is rewarded by Hygelac with the hand of his only daughter.--41_18; 41_48.

--Eormenric--.--A Gothic king, from whom Hama took away the famous Brosinga mene.--19_9.