Beowulf begins with the history of the Danish line, starting with the king Scyld Sceafing and continuing until the current king Hrothgar rules. He has built a mead hall, Heorot, which is known far and wide across the lands. One night, after much celebration, a monster named Grendel appears and eats thirty men. The monster returns the following two nights and in turn; the mead hall is vacant for twelve years. Beowulf, a Geat, hears of Grendel's legacy and comes across the seas to Hrothgar's kingdom and declares he will kill the beast. That very night, Beowulf rips Grendel's arm off when he comes to eat the men. The next night, Grendel's mother comes to steal her son's arm back. Beowulf dives into the water and swims down to the lair Grendel and his mother live in. He kills Grendel's mother with a sword stuck in the wall...