6. Hæthcyn, King of Geats.
7. Hygelac, King of Geats.
8. Heardred, King of Geats.
9. Beowulf, King of Geats.
10. Eofor, }
11. Wulf, } two Geat warriors.
Ongentheow was a King of the Swedes. The Swedes are also called
Scylfings in the poem. The origin of the word 'Scylfing' is
doubtful. Ongentheow went to war with Hæthcyn, King of the Geats
and brother of Hygelac; and Ongentheow, who was well advanced in
years, struck down his foe (Chapter XL., p. 173) at the battle
of Ravenswood. This was the first time that the Swedes invaded
the Geats. The Geats retreated into the Ravenswood at nightfall,
but with the dawn they heard the horn of Hygelac 'as the good prince
came marching on the track.' Ongentheow now was alarmed, for Hygelac's
prowess in battle was far-famed. He withdrew into some fortification,
and was attacked by the Geats. Two brothers, Eofor and Wulf, assailed
the veteran warrior. He defended himself with great vigour and killed
Wulf; but Eofor came to the help of his brother and dealt Ongentheow
his death-blow over the guard of his shield.
Ongentheow's two sons were Onela and Ohthere. Ohthere had two sons,
Eanmund and Eadgils.
These two sons of Ohthere were banished from Sweden for rebellion,
and took refuge at the Court of the Geat King Heardred. This greatly
enraged their uncle Onela, that they should resort to the Court of
their hereditary foes (see above). Onela invaded the land of the Geats
(Chapters XXXIII. and XXXIV., pp. 144 sq.) and slew Heardred. Then
it was that Beowulf became King of the Geats. Thus two Geatish kings
had been slain by the Swedes, viz. Hæthcyn and Heardred. In revenge,
later on, Beowulf supported Eadgils in his counter-attack on his own
fatherland when Eadgils killed his uncle Onela. This story is confirmed
by the Scandinavian accounts in which Athils (= Eadgils) slew Ali (=
Onela) on the ice of Lake Wener; cp. the phrase 'cold journeyings'
(Chapter XXXIV., p. 145).
This is Wyatt's version of the story.
X