Appendix 9

Wars Between the Swedes and the Geats

2 min

Characters

1. Swedes

1. Ongentheow, King of the Swedes. 2. Onthere, his son. 3. Onela, his son. 4. Eadgils, son of Ohthere. 5. Eanmund, son of Ohthere.

1. Ongentheow, king of the Swedes. 2. Onthere, his son. 3. Onela, his son. 4. Eadgils, Ohthere’s son. 5. Eanmund, Ohthere’s son.

2. Geats, &c.

2. Geats, etc.

6. Hæthcyn, King of Geats. 7. Hygelac, King of Geats. 8. Heardred, King of Geats. 9. Beowulf, King of Geats. 10. Eofor, a Geat warrior. 11. Wulf, a Geat warrior.

6. Hæthcyn, king of the Geats. 7. Hygelac, king of the Geats. 8. Heardred, king of the Geats. 9. Beowulf, king of the Geats. 10. Eofor, a Geat warrior. 11. Wulf, a Geat warrior.

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 was a king of the Swedes. The Swedes are also called Scylfings in the poem. The origin of the word ‘Scylfing’ is uncertain. Ongentheow went to war with Hæthcyn, King of the Geats and brother of Hygelac. Though already an old man, Ongentheow struck down his enemy at the battle of Ravenswood (Chapter XL., p. 173). This was the first time the Swedes invaded the Geats. The Geats retreated into Ravenswood at nightfall. But at dawn, the Geats heard Hygelac’s horn ‘as the good prince came marching on the track.’ Ongentheow was now alarmed, because Hygelac was widely known for his skill in battle. Ongentheow withdrew into some fortification, where the Geats attacked him. Two brothers, Eofor and Wulf, attacked the veteran warrior. Ongentheow defended himself fiercely and killed Wulf. But Eofor came to his brother’s aid and struck Ongentheow a fatal blow over the top of his shield.

Ongentheow’s two sons were Onela and Ohthere. Ohthere had two sons, Eanmund and Eadgils.

Ongentheow had two sons, 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).

These two sons of Ohthere were banished from Sweden for rebellion and took refuge at the court of Heardred, King of the Geats. Their uncle Onela was furious that they had sought refuge with their family's longstanding enemies (see above). Onela invaded the land of the Geats (Chapters XXXIII. and XXXIV., pp. 144 and following) and killed Heardred. Beowulf then became King of the Geats. The Swedes had now killed two Geatish kings, Hæthcyn and Heardred. Later, in revenge, Beowulf supported Eadgils in a counterattack on Eadgils's own homeland. During this attack, Eadgils killed his uncle Onela. Scandinavian accounts confirm this story, describing how Athils (= Eadgils) killed Ali (= Onela) on the ice of Lake Wener. Compare the phrase ‘cold journeyings’ (Chapter XXXIV., p. 145).

This is Wyatt’s version of the story.