[Sidenote:  Death of Hygelac.] Several years of comparative peace ensued, ere the land was invaded by the Friesians, who raided the coast, burning and plundering all in their way, and retreated into their ships before Hygelac or Beowulf could overtake and punish them.  The immediate result of this invasion was a counter-movement on Hygelac’s part.  But although he successfully harried Friesland, he fell into an ambush just as he was about to leave the country, and was cruelly slain, his nephew Beowulf barely escaping a similar untoward fate.

When the little army of the Geates reached home once more, they either buried or consumed Hygelac’s remains, with his weapons and battle steed, as was customary in the North.  This ceremony ended, Queen Hygd, overwhelmed with grief, and fearing the almost inevitable dissensions arising during the long minority of an infant king, convened the popular assembly known as the Thing, and bade the people set her own child’s claims aside in favor of Beowulf.  This proposal was hailed with enthusiasm; but Beowulf refused to usurp his kinsman’s throne, and raising Hardred, Hygelac’s infant son, upon his shield, he declared that he would protect and uphold him as long as he lived.  The people, following his example, swore fealty to the new king, and faithfully kept this oath until he died.

Hardred, having attained his majority, ruled wisely and well; but his career was cut short by the sons of Othere, the discoverer of the North Cape.  These youths had rebelled against their father’s authority and taken refuge at Hardred’s court; but when the latter advised a reconciliation, the eldest youth angrily drew his sword and slew him.

[Illustration:  FUNERAL OF A NORTHERN CHIEF.—­Cormon.]

[Sidenote:  Beowulf made king.] This crime was avenged, with true northern promptitude, by Wiglaf, one of the king’s followers; and while the second youth effected an escape, Beowulf was summoned by the Thing to accept the now vacant throne.  As there were none to dispute his claims, the hero no longer refused to rule, and he bravely defended his kingdom against Eadgils, Othere’s second son.  Eadgils was now king of Sweden, and came with an armed host to avenge his brother’s death; but he only succeeded in losing his own life.

A reign of forty years of comparative peace brought Beowulf to extreme old age.  He had naturally lost much of his former vigor, and was therefore somewhat dismayed when a terrible, fire-breathing dragon took up its abode in the mountains near by, where it gloated over a hoard of glittering gold.

          “The ranger of the darksome night,
    The Firedrake, came.”
                         Beowulf (Conybeare’s tr.)