Hygelac

Hygelac (Old English: Hygelāc) was a king of the Geats, a people of southern Sweden, mentioned in the Old English epic poem Beowulf.

Hygelac is a historical figure, verifiable by references to him in other Scandinavian sources, primarily the Historia Francorum of Gregory of Tours. Gregory refers to a Geatish (Huns) raid on the Frankish kingdom around 520 AD in which a Geatish king, Chlochilaicus, was killed. This Chlochilaicus is generally accepted by scholars to be Hygelac.

In Beowulf, Hygelac is depicted as the uncle of Beowulf. He is married to Hygd, and their son is Heardred. Hygelac is presented as a generous and powerful ruler. He is killed during a raid on Frisia, a detail which aligns with the historical account in Gregory of Tours. Following his death, Hygd offers Beowulf the throne, believing Heardred is too young and inexperienced to rule effectively. Beowulf, however, refuses and supports Heardred until the latter's death, after which Beowulf becomes king.

Hygelac's reign is significant in understanding the context and historicity of Beowulf. The poem blends historical events with legendary narratives, and the inclusion of a figure like Hygelac, whose existence is supported by external sources, lends credibility to the poem's setting and characters. The historical Hygelac allows scholars to tentatively date certain events and connections within the poem's narrative.