Hygelac (Old English: Hygelāc; Old Norse: Hugleikr; Proto-Germanic: *Hugilaikaz; [1] Latin: Ch(l)ochilaicus or Hugilaicus; [2] died c. 516 or 521) was a king of the Geats according to the poem Beowulf.

Hygelac. Beowulf’s uncle, king of the Geats, and husband of Hygd. Hygelac heartily welcomes Beowulf back from Denmark. Read an in-depth analysis of Hygelac. Hygd. Hygelac’s wife, the young, beautiful, and intelligent queen of the Geats. Hygd is …

Hygelac, the king of the Geats, is the uncle of Beowulf and the husband of Hygd. At the start of the poem, Beowulf leaves his uncle’s court to assist the Danish king, Hrothgar, in his fight against the monster Grendel.

Hygelac is Beowulf's king and uncle. His role is mostly a background one, he provides the support for Beowulf and welcomes him back after he defeats Grendel and Grendel's mother. When Beowulf was a boy, his father Ecgtheow dies, he is then taken in by King Hygelac as a ward.

Beowulf then hands over most of his treasure to Hygelac, who, in turn, rewards him. In time, Hygelac is killed in a war against the Shyflings, and, after Hygelac’s son dies, Beowulf ascends to the throne of the Geats. He rules wisely for fifty years, bringing prosperity to Geatland.

Nov 21, 2023 · Hygelac was a real historical figure in addition to being a folk figure in the epic poem "Beowulf." He is known as "Lord of the Geats," a Northern Germanic tribe...

Feb 18, 2025 · Beowulf, heroic poem, the highest achievement of Old English literature and the earliest European vernacular epic. The work deals with events of the early 6th century, and, while the date of its composition is uncertain, some scholars believe that it …

Aug 3, 2021 · Hygelac is a proven warrior, who already led the Geats to a decisive victory against the Swedes at the Battle of Ravenswood (ll. 2946–2998); his nephew, Beowulf, the strongest man in the world, accompanies him on the raid into Frankish territory; and Hygelac himself is now larger and presumably more powerful than all other ordinary men ...

Hygelac, the king of the Geats, is Beowulf's lord and ring-giver. As a "ring-giver," it is Hygelac's job to give land and treasures to his "thanes," or lords, in order to reward them for their loyalty and service.

Mar 10, 2022 · Returning victorious to Geatland, Beowulf refuses to take the throne after his uncle, King Hygelac, dies. But he ultimately became the king when his uncle’s son, Heardred, is killed in battle.