Glossary of Important Names Individuals, Ethnic Groups, and Places
			Proper Names of People and Places in Beowulf A-E | F-J | K-O | P-T | U-Z Relevant Historical Figures A-E | F-J | K-O | P-T | U-Z

Abel Son of Adam and Eve, murdered by his brother, Cain in Genesis of the Bible. Beow Successful Danish king, son of Scyld Scefing; father of Haelfdene; Hrothgar's grandfather. Beowulf His father was Ecgtheow, his mother daughter of the Geatish king, Hrethel, and sister of Hygelac; hero of the poem. Friesland Land of the Frisians (Jutes) Frisians (Jutes) Finn's tribe; allies of the Franks who defeat and kill Hygelac Geats tribe dwelling in southern Sweden, ruled successively by Hrethel, Haethcyn, Hygelac, Heardred, and Beowulf; the Scylfings (Swedes), who lived to their north, were their deadly enemies. Grendel A cannibalistic monster who ravages Heorot and Hrothgar's Danes by night for twelve years, his name perhaps meants "grinder";an evil descendent of the murderer, Cain, he is killed by Beowulf, who later cuts off his head after disposing of his mother. Heorot Means "hart"; elaborate Danish hall built by Hrothgar for hospitality to his thanes; raided by Grendel. Hrothgar Danish king, son of Healfdene; brother of Heorogar, Halga, and the wife of Onela the Swede; father of Hrethric, Hrothmund, and Freawaru; built Heorot, could not defend it from Grendel. Hygd Geatish queen, daughter of Heareth, wife of Hygelac, and mother of Heardred. Beowulf gave her the necklace Hrothgar had given him, and she offered Beowulf the kingdom after the death of Hygelac. Scyldings The Danes, descendants of Scyld. Wealhtheow A Helming; Danish queen, wife of Hrothgar and mother of Hrethric and Hrothmund. Relevant Historical Figures Augustine, St. Missionary to southern England sent by Pope Gregory in 597 CE. Bede AKA The Venerable Bede, English cleric and scholar who wrote Historia Ecclesia Gentis Anglorum, The History of the Church of the English People, in which he referred to the people of England as one group, anglorum, and he provided information about the Germanic invasions after the withdrawal of Roman troops. Caesar Julius Roman General, later emperor, who first attacked Celts in England, providing first major historical record about them in his Gallic Wars, a record of his exploits in Western Europe. Chaucer Middle English poet, writer of Canterbury Tales and other works. Cotton, Sir Robert Onetime possessor of the only extant (still existing) manuscript of Beowulf. Gregory I Pope who sent St. Augustine to England as missionary in 597 CE. Hadrian Roman emperor who had Hadrian's wall built to defend against Scottish and Pictish intrusions. TOP OF PAGE Coming Soon: More names with definitions