Beowulf the Geat. See the [Argument].
Breca ([30]), who contended with Beowulf in swimming, was a chief of the Brondings ([31]).
[Brisings' neck-gear] ([70]). "This necklace is the Brisinga-men, the costly necklace of Freyja, which she won from the dwarfs and which was stolen from her by Loki, as is told in the Edda" (Kemble). In our poem, it is said that Hama carried off this necklace when he fled from Eormenric, king of the Ostrogoths.
Dayraven ([143]), a brave warrior of the Hugs, and probably the slayer of Hygelac, whom, in that case, Beowulf avenged.
[Eadgils], Eanmund ([136], [137]), "sons of Ohthere," and nephews of the Swedish King Onela, by whom they were banished from their native land for rebellion. They took refuge at the court of the Geat King Heardred, and Onela, "Ongentheow's bairn," enraged at their finding an asylum with his hereditary foes, invaded Geatland, and slew Heardred. At a later time Beowulf, when king of the Geats, balanced the feud by supporting Eadgils in an invasion of Sweden, in which King Onela was slain.
Eanmund ([149]), while in exile at the court of the Geats, was slain by Weohstan, father of Wiglaf, and stripped of the armour given him by his uncle, the Swedish King Onela. Weohstan "spake not about the feud, although he had slain Onela's brother's son," probably because he was not proud of having slain an "exile unfriended" in a private quarrel.
Ecglaf, father of Unferth, Hrothgar's spokesman ([29]).
[Ecgtheow] ([22]), father of Beowulf the Geat, by the only daughter of Hrethel, king of the Geats. Having slain Heatholaf, a warrior of the Wylfings, Ecgtheow sought protection at the court of the Danish King Hrothgar, who accepted his fealty and settled the feud by a money-payment ([27]). Hence the heartiness of Beowulf's welcome at Hrothgar's hands.
Ecgwela. The Scyldings or Danes are once called "Ecgwela's offspring" ([99]). He may have been the founder of the older dynasty of Danish kings which ended with Heremod.
[Eofor] ([142], [167]-[169]), a Geat warrior, brother of Wulf. He came to the aid of his brother in his single combat with the Swedish King Ongentheow, and slew the king, being rewarded by Hygelac with the hand of his only daughter.