[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.

[xiv]

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.