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142 by Hygelac’s widow (2369 ff.); acted as guardian and protector to Hygelac’s son Heardred (2377), and on the death of the latter became king of the Geats, whom he ruled for fifty years (2209).

Beowulf is a hero worthy of our only great English epic, a warrior “sans peur et sans reproche.” His love of fighting, his eagerness for praise (3182), his touch of braggadocio, were far from being faults in the eyes of the “scop,” and he has some of the qualities of true greatness: in the closing words of the poem he is called the mildest, gentlest, and kindest of men.

The Beowulf who took part in Hygelac’s historical expedition against the Hetware is probably historical too; but the Beowulf of the four great exploits of the poem, the swimming match with Breca, and the contests with Grendel, with his dam, and with the dragon, has probably stepped into the place of the mythical Beowa of the Old English royal genealogies.

Ēadgils, younger son of Ohthere.

What is told of the brothers Eadgils and Eanmund in the poem, as in the case of the other allusions and episodes, must have been