Hrethel

Family: Geats · Role: Hrethel the Geat, father of Hygelac, grandfather of Beowulf · First appears: Section VI

In Section VI, Hrothgar recalls that Hrethel gave his only daughter to Ecgtheow in marriage; their son was Beowulf. In Section XXXII, Beowulf tells that Hrethel took him from his father when he was seven years old and reared him, “with food and fee, faithful in kinship.” He also names Hrethel’s sons Herebeald, Haethcyn, and Hygelac.

Looking back in Section XXXI, the poem tells that Hygelac, Hrethel’s son, died in battle in the Frisian land, and that Beowulf fled through his strength and swimming power.

Relationship record

Life events

• Hrothgar recalls that Hrethel gave his only daughter to Ecgtheow in marriage.(Section VI)
  • With: Ecgtheow
  • “to whom, at home, gave Hrethel the Geat his only daughter.”
• Looking back, the poem tells that Hygelac, son of Hrethel, died in battle, and Beowulf fled with his strength and swimming power.(Section XXXI · 📍 the Frisian land)
  • With: Hygelac Beowulf
  • “when the ruler of Geats in rush of battle, lord of his folk, in the Frisian land, son of Hrethel, by sword-draughts died, by brands down-beaten. Thence Beowulf fled through strength of himself and his swimming power,”
• Beowulf tells that Hrethel took him from his father at seven years old and reared him.(Section XXXII)
  • With: Beowulf Ecgtheow
  • “I was seven years old when the sovran of rings, friend-of-his-folk, from my father took me, had me, and held me, Hrethel the king, with food and fee, faithful in kinship.”

Section VI

• younger kin: Beowulf “to whom, at home, gave Hrethel the Geat his only daughter. Their offspring bold fares hither to seek the steadfast friend.”

Section XXII

• child: Hygelac “Hrethel's son see, when he stares at the treasure,”

Section XXXI

• child: Hygelac “when the ruler of Geats in rush of battle, lord of his folk, in the Frisian land, son of Hrethel, by sword-draughts died,”

Section XXXII

• ward: Beowulf “I was seven years old when the sovran of rings, friend-of-his-folk, from my father took me, had me, and held me, Hrethel the king,”
• child: Herebeald “Ne'er, while I lived there, he loathlier found me, bairn in the burg, than his birthright sons, Herebeald and Haethcyn and Hygelac mine.”
• child: Haethcyn “Ne'er, while I lived there, he loathlier found me, bairn in the burg, than his birthright sons, Herebeald and Haethcyn and Hygelac mine.”
• child: Hygelac “Ne'er, while I lived there, he loathlier found me, bairn in the burg, than his birthright sons, Herebeald and Haethcyn and Hygelac mine.”

Section XXXIX

• child: Hygelac “For that grim strife gave the Geatish lord, Hrethel's offspring, when home he came,”

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Extracted from the original text of Beowulf (Gummere's translation). Made with Rho MD.